MAPWINDOW Tutorial for Watershed Delineation

Watershed
Delineation with
MAPWINDOW
Tutorial
Tutorial for watershed delineation using MAPWINDOW 4.8 R3.
Edited 2011
Comments to: vladyman@hotmail.co.uk

Watershed
Delineation with
MAPWINDOW
Tutorial for watershed delineation using MAPWINDOW 4.8 R3.

Comments to: vladyman@hotmail.co.uk

Watershed Delineation with MAPWINDOW 2011

Page 1


Page 2

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Watershed delineation ........................................................................................................................... 5
How to delineate a watershed in MAPWINDOWS step by step? ....................................................... 5
Delineating watersheds performing all steps at once. ..................................................................... 22
Works Cited ........................................................................................................................................... 22
Comments to: ....................................................................................................................................... 22


Page 3

Table of figures
Figure 1 some advantages of MAPWINDOW compared to ESRIs GIS ................................................... 4
Figure 2 MAPWINDOW website main screen ......................................................................................... 5
Figure 3 Select DEM ................................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 4 Fill pits screen ............................................................................................................................ 6
Figure 5 DEM with pits filled ................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 6 Flow direction screen ................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 7 Slopes grid ................................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 8 Flow direction grid .................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 9 Dinf Flow Direction screen ........................................................................................................ 8
Figure 10 Flow direction grid .................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 11 contributing area screen ......................................................................................................... 9
Figure 12 Contributing areas DEM .......................................................................................................... 9
Figure 13 creating a shape file .............................................................................................................. 10
Figure 14 Zoom to the selected area and click in the desired outlet cell ............................................. 10
Figure 15 Creating contributing area .................................................................................................... 11
Figure 16 Contributing area of the selected outlet .............................................................................. 11
Figure 17 Dinfinity Contributing Area screen ....................................................................................... 12
Figure 18 Contributing area .................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 19 Grid network screen .............................................................................................................. 13
Figure 20 River network classified according to Strahler ..................................................................... 13
Figure 21 Longest upslope length ......................................................................................................... 14
Figure 22 Total upslope length ............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 23 Peuker Douglas input screen ................................................................................................ 15
Figure 24Stream source grid for the specific area ................................................................................ 15
Figure 25 Extreme upslope screen ........................................................................................................ 16
Figure 26 Extreme upslope grid ............................................................................................................ 16
Figure 27 Slope Area screen.................................................................................................................. 17
Figure 28 Slope area grid ...................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 29 Length area stream input window ........................................................................................ 18
Figure 30 Grid indicator ........................................................................................................................ 18
Figure 31 Stream and Watershed input screen .................................................................................... 19
Figure 32 Stream order grid with main rivers up to Strahlers order 4 ................................................ 19
Figure 33 Watershed grid ..................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 34 Stream reach shape file ........................................................................................................ 20
Figure 35 Watershed Grid to Shape file input screen ........................................................................... 21
Figure 36 Delineated watershed with the main rivers ......................................................................... 21
Figure 37 Watershed ............................................................................................................................. 21

Watershed Delineation with MAPWINDOW

Introduction
Nowadays there is a wide variety of GIS software providers such as MAPWINDOW, ESRI, GRASS,
Quantum, SAGA, ILWIS, IDRISI and more. ESRI
complete one with many applications already developed
is heavy software that requires lot of computational power.
MAPWINDOWS is very light GIS software with the mos
being developed that can easily run even in small and light portable notebooks.
with files created by other softwares
friendly interface to develop new applications. Since it is a light application, it does not require much
computational power and processing is much faster than ESRI ArcGIS; as Google states: Every
millisecond counts [1].
MapWindow is an open source Programmable Geographic Information System that supports
manipulation, analysis, and viewing of geospatial data and associated attribute data in several
standard GIS data formats. MapWindow is a mapping tool, a GIS
application programming interface (
While most of the freeware GIS software cant work with ESRIs
Its popularity is growing and some agencies already accepted its benefits; for instance, t
States Environmental Protection
Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoin
environmental analysis system [2
Figure 1 some
ArcGIS
Page 4

Quantum, SAGA, ILWIS, IDRISI and more. ESRIs product ArcGIS is by far the most popular and
complete one with many applications already developed. However, one negative side of ESRI is that
heavy software that requires lot of computational power.
MAPWINDOWS is very light GIS software with the most used applications, and new applications
being developed that can easily run even in small and light portable notebooks.
softwares such as ESRIs shape file. Moreover, it is FREE and with a
to develop new applications. Since it is a light application, it does not require much
standard GIS data formats. MapWindow is a mapping tool, a GIS modelling
application programming interface (API) all in one convenient redistributable open source form
While most of the freeware GIS software cant work with ESRIs shape files, MAPWINDOW
and some agencies already accepted its benefits; for instance, t
States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) decided to use it as the GIS platform for its
Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASSINS) which
2].
some advantages of MAPWINDOW compared to ESRIs GIS
ArcGIS MAPWINDOW
product ArcGIS is by far the most popular and
However, one negative side of ESRI is that
t used applications, and new applications
being developed that can easily run even in small and light portable notebooks. It allows working
Moreover, it is FREE and with a
to develop new applications. Since it is a light application, it does not require much
modelling system, and a GIS
) all in one convenient redistributable open source form [1].
, MAPWINDOW does.
and some agencies already accepted its benefits; for instance, the United
(US EPA) decided to use it as the GIS platform for its Better
which is a multipurpose


MAPWINDOW can be downloaded at:
Figure
Watershed delineation
One of the most useful GIS applications is the delineation of watersheds. A watershed (or water
decide) is the line that divides two basins
mountain peaks, while in a flat area it is invisible
MAPWINDOWS provides the Watershed delineation plugin
part of the Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models
students and collaborators [4] [
automatically.
How to delineate a watershed in MAPWINDOWS
Watershed can be easily delineated with some simple steps
Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
Select the DEM. Go to Watershed Delineation
DEM. There navigate to the folder and the selected DEM
Page 5

MAPWINDOW can be downloaded at: http://www.mapwindow.org/
Figure 2 MAPWINDOW website main screen
Watershed delineation
is the line that divides two basins [3]. In a mountainous area it can be easily defined by the
mountain peaks, while in a flat area it is invisible.
MAPWINDOWS provides the Watershed delineation plugin to delineate watersheds. This plugin is
part of the Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models (TauDEM) by David Tarboton and his
[5]. The delineation process may be performed by simple steps or
How to delineate a watershed in MAPWINDOWS step by step?
Watershed can be easily delineated with some simple steps contained in:
> Advanced TauDEm Functions
. There navigate to the folder and the selected DEM
Figure 3 Select DEM

area it can be easily defined by the
to delineate watersheds. This plugin is
by David Tarboton and his
The delineation process may be performed by simple steps or
step by step?
> Advanced TauDEm Functions -> Select


Fill the pits. Go to Watershed Delineation
Processing Functions -> Fill Pits
Pits are cells surrounded by higher elevation cells that may interfere with the routing process. Such
pits are identified and removed by raising its elevation to th

Get the flow directions D8
DEM Processing Functions
This process creates 2 grids. One is the slope in the steepest descent direction, and the other
contains the flow direction from each grid cell to one of its adjacent or diagonal
calculated using the direction of steepest d
elevation difference with the 8 neighbouring cells
Page 6

> Fill Pits
pits are identified and removed by raising its elevation to the lowest one around its edge.
Figure 4 Fill pits screen
Figure 5 DEM with pits filled
D8. Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
DEM Processing Functions -> D8 Flow Direction
contains the flow direction from each grid cell to one of its adjacent or diagonal
calculated using the direction of steepest descent. The flow direction is obtained by checking the
elevation difference with the 8 neighbouring cells
> Advanced TauDEm Functions -> DEM
e lowest one around its edge.

> Advanced TauDEm Functions ->
contains the flow direction from each grid cell to one of its adjacent or diagonal neighbours,
The flow direction is obtained by checking the

Get the flow directions Dinf. Go to
> DEM Processing Functions
Page 7

Figure 6 Flow direction screen
Figure 7 Slopes grid
Figure 8 Flow direction grid
Get the flow directions Dinf. Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
> DEM Processing Functions -> Dinf Flow Direction

> Advanced TauDEm Functions -

This process assigns a flow direction based on the D
a triangular facet [6]. Flow direction is defined as steepest downward slope on planar triangular
facets on a block centred grid.

Get the contributing area
it was not created, it can be easily created in MAPWOINDOWS with the
plugin.
Create an outlet. First, a general contributing area has to be created.
Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
Contributing Area
Page 8

This process assigns a flow direction based on the D-infinity flow method using the steepest slop
. Flow direction is defined as steepest downward slope on planar triangular
Figure 9 Dinf Flow Direction screen
Figure 10 Flow direction grid
Get the contributing area. This step requires an outlet specified by a point
it was not created, it can be easily created in MAPWOINDOWS with the
First, a general contributing area has to be created.
> Advanced TauDEm Functions -> DEM Processing Functions
infinity flow method using the steepest slope of
. Flow direction is defined as steepest downward slope on planar triangular

. This step requires an outlet specified by a point shape file. In case
it was not created, it can be easily created in MAPWOINDOWS with the Shape file editor
> DEM Processing Functions -> D8

Then, verify that the shape file editor is selected
new shape file and click in the cell that will be the outlet.
Page 9

Figure 11 contributing area screen
Figure 12 Contributing areas DEM
editor is selected (Pug-ins -> Shape file editor), select new to create a
in the cell that will be the outlet. This shape file has to be a point.

elect new to create a
has to be a point.

It will appear a warning that am empty shapefile was created. Just accceot and press ok. Now zoom
to the where the outlet is to be created, press to add new shapefile, and click in the outlet cell.
Figure 14 Zoom to the selected area and click in the
Contributing area. Go to
Processing Functions -> D8 Contributing Area
navigate to the folder and file of the created outlet. It may appear the warning that the
shape file has no ID and it will be created automatically, just accept.
It gets the contributing area as the outlets own

Page 10

Figure 13 creating a shape file
Zoom to the selected area and click in the desired outlet cell
. Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
> D8 Contributing Area. Check the box Upstream of nodes and
has no ID and it will be created automatically, just accept.
It gets the contributing area as the outlets own contribution plus the upslope cells that drain in to it.
Create a new
shape file


> Advanced TauDEm Functions -> DEM
Check the box Upstream of nodes and
plus the upslope cells that drain in to it.

Figure

Get the catchment area.
DEM Processing Functions
It calculates a grid of the specific catchment area which is the contributing area per unit contour
length. It uses the so called D-
triangular facets on a block centred
own contribution plus the contribution from upslope
it according to the D-infinity flow model.
Page 11

Figure 15 Creating contributing area
Figure 16 Contributing area of the selected outlet
DEM Processing Functions -> Dinf Contributing Area
specific catchment area which is the contributing area per unit contour
-infinity approach which is the steepest downward slope on planar
centred grid. The contributing area of each grid cell is t
own contribution plus the contribution from upslope neighbours that have some fraction draining to
infinity flow model.

Advanced TauDEm Functions ->
specific catchment area which is the contributing area per unit contour
infinity approach which is the steepest downward slope on planar
grid. The contributing area of each grid cell is then taken as its
that have some fraction draining to

Get the river hierarchy.
classified according to a hierarchy.
Functions -> DEM Processing Functions
It will create 3 grids contain for each grid cell 3 attributes
1. The longest upslope path which
each cell.
Page 12

Figure 17 Dinfinity Contributing Area screen
Figure 18 Contributing area
. MAPWINDOW allows to easily creating layers where the network is
classified according to a hierarchy. Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm
> DEM Processing Functions -> Grid Networks Order and Flow Path Lengths
It will create 3 grids contain for each grid cell 3 attributes [4]:
1. The longest upslope path which is the length of the flow path from the furthest cell that drains to

layers where the network is
> Advanced TauDEm
s Order and Flow Path Lengths
is the length of the flow path from the furthest cell that drains to

2. The total path which is the length of the entire grid network upslope of each grid cell. Lengths are
measured between cell centres
diagonal.
3. The Strahler order number defined by the D8 Flow Direction grid
the network defined by the D8 flow model.
When two flow paths of different order join the order of the downstream, flow path is the
the highest incoming flow path. When two flow paths of equal order join, the downstream flow path
order is increased by 1. When more than two flow paths join, the downstream flow path order is
calculated as the maximum of the highest incoming flow
flow path order + 1.

Figure
Page 13

which is the length of the entire grid network upslope of each grid cell. Lengths are
taking into account cell size and whether the direction is adjacent or
defined by the D8 Flow Direction grid. These values are derived from
the network defined by the D8 flow model. Source flow paths have a Strahler order number of one.
When two flow paths of different order join the order of the downstream, flow path is the
calculated as the maximum of the highest incoming flow path order or the second highest incoming
Figure 19 Grid network screen
Figure 20 River network classified according to Strahler
which is the length of the entire grid network upslope of each grid cell. Lengths are
taking into account cell size and whether the direction is adjacent or
. These values are derived from
Source flow paths have a Strahler order number of one.
When two flow paths of different order join the order of the downstream, flow path is the order of
path order or the second highest incoming


Usually the user needs the basin and river networks as
area, length or river order are required to further analysis. MAPWINDOW prov
Network Analysis toolset with tools for creating and
Peuker Douglas Indicator. Go to
Network and Watershed Processing
stream source grid. It creates an indicator grid (1,0) of upward curved grid cells according to the
Peuker and Douglas algorithm.
In the inputs a pit filled grid has to be specified. The program by default will load the whole grid. For
a specific analysis, it is possible to specify just a delimited grid such as the contributing area grid

Page 14

Figure 21 Longest upslope length
Figure 22 Total upslope length
Usually the user needs the basin and river networks as shape files, since some attributes such as
area, length or river order are required to further analysis. MAPWINDOW prov
tools for creating and analysing stream networks.
Go to Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEm Functions
Processing Function -> Peuker Douglas. Th
an indicator grid (1,0) of upward curved grid cells according to the

ic analysis, it is possible to specify just a delimited grid such as the contributing area grid

, since some attributes such as
area, length or river order are required to further analysis. MAPWINDOW provides a Stream
.
his tool generates a
an indicator grid (1,0) of upward curved grid cells according to the
ic analysis, it is possible to specify just a delimited grid such as the contributing area grid

Figure

Extreme upslope value. Go to Watershed Delineation
Evaluates the extreme (either maximum or minimum) upslope value from
flow model. This is useful for use in stream raster generation to identify a threshold of the slope
times area product that results in an optimum stream network.
the task the whole grid. For a specific analysis, it is
checking the outlet upstream box and selecting the outlet
Page 15

Figure 23 Peuker Douglas input screen
Figure 24Stream source grid for the specific area
Processing Function -> D8 extreme upslope value.
Evaluates the extreme (either maximum or minimum) upslope value from the grid based on the D
for use in stream raster generation to identify a threshold of the slope
times area product that results in an optimum stream network. The program by default will perform
the task the whole grid. For a specific analysis, it is possible to specify just a delimited area, by
checking the outlet upstream box and selecting the outlet shape file

> D8 extreme upslope value. This tool
grid based on the D8
for use in stream raster generation to identify a threshold of the slope
The program by default will perform
possible to specify just a delimited area, by

Slope area combination. Watershed Delineation
Creates a grid of slope-area values based on slope and specific catchment area grid i
parameters m and n. It is useful
Page 16

Figure 25 Extreme upslope screen
Figure 26 Extreme upslope grid
Processing Function -> Slope Area Combination.
area values based on slope and specific catchment area grid i
for use as part of the slope-area stream raster delineation method

> Slope Area Combination. This tool
area values based on slope and specific catchment area grid inputs, and
area stream raster delineation method

Length Area Stream. Watershed Delineation
and Watershed Processing Function
indicator grid (1,0) which indicates likely stream source grid cells.
law which states that for streams L ~ A^0.6. However for
transition from hill slopes to streams may be represented by L ~ A^0.8
Page 17

Figure 27 Slope Area screen
Figure 28 Slope area grid
Function -> Length Area Stream Source.
indicates likely stream source grid cells. It uses a method based
law which states that for streams L ~ A^0.6. However for hill slopes with parallel flow L ~ A,
to streams may be represented by L ~ A^0.8

Advanced TauDEm Functions -> Network
> Length Area Stream Source. This tool creates an
It uses a method based in Hack's
with parallel flow L ~ A, a

Stream reach and watershed. Go to
-> Network and Watershed
tool creates a vector network and
used to connect flow paths along the stream raster. The Strahler order of each stream segment is
computed. The sub watershed
labelled with the value identifier that corresponds to the WSNO (watershed number) attribute in the
Stream Reach Shape file. In the final
already explained Strahler ordering system.
watershed grid. Finally, it creates
shape file with several attributes such as length, order, magnitude, slope, drop and others

Page 18

Figure 29 Length area stream input window
Figure 30 Grid indicator
Network and Watershed Processing Function -> Stream Reach and Watershed.
tool creates a vector network and shape file from the stream raster grid. The flow direction grid is
sub watershed draining to each stream segment (reach) is also delineated and
th the value identifier that corresponds to the WSNO (watershed number) attribute in the
. In the final shape file the stream network is ordered according to the
already explained Strahler ordering system. It creates the stream order grid
. Finally, it creates the stream reach shape file. In this file the rivers are already a
with several attributes such as length, order, magnitude, slope, drop and others

> Advanced TauDEm Functions
> Stream Reach and Watershed. This
from the stream raster grid. The flow direction grid is
draining to each stream segment (reach) is also delineated and
th the value identifier that corresponds to the WSNO (watershed number) attribute in the
the stream network is ordered according to the
grid. Then creates the
. In this file the rivers are already a
with several attributes such as length, order, magnitude, slope, drop and others [4].

Figure
Figure 32 Stream order grid
Page 19

Figure 31 Stream and Watershed input screen
Stream order grid with main rivers up to Strahlers order 4


Watershed to shape file. Go to Watershed Delineation
and Watershed Processing Function
watershed representation into a polygon
assigned an identifier.

Page 20

Figure 33 Watershed grid
Figure 34 Stream reach shape file
Function -> Watershed Grid to Shape file. This tool converts
watershed representation into a polygon shape file. Each shape in the Watershed

> Advanced TauDEm Functions -> Network
converts the grid
. Each shape in the Watershed Shape file will be

Figure
Figure
The watershed is now a polygon
according the preference

Page 21

Figure 35 Watershed Grid to Shape file input screen
Figure 36 Delineated watershed with the main rivers
The watershed is now a polygon shape file. It is also possible to define different colouring schemes
Figure 37 Watershed

It is also possible to define different colouring schemes


Page 22

Delineating watersheds performing all steps at once.
Some users might be used to the ESRI procedure where all the catchments for the whole grid are
delineated automatically and deciding where which will be the outlets. MAPWINDOS also allows
delineating the entire watershed with just one click, avoiding the previous steps. Personally I dont
like this method since the software decides everything according its own criteria, and sometimes it
may be suggested to give more detail to some specific area according the specific project needs.
To perform all the steps at once, just go to: Watershed Delineation -> Advanced TauDEM Functions
-> Do All Network and Watershed Steps.

Works Cited
1 Google. Google user experience. [Internet]. [cited 2011]. Available from:
http://www.google.com/about/corporate/company/ux.html.
2 MAPWINDOW. MAPWINDOW Project Overview. [Internet]. [cited 2011]. Available from:
http://www.mapwindow.org/apps/wiki/doku.php?id=project_overview.
3 US EPA. US EPA BASINS. [Internet]. Available from:
http://water.epa.gov/scitech/datait/models/basins/index.cfm.
4 Maidment D. Handbook of Hydrology. Mc Graw Hill; 1992.
5 MAPWINDOW. TauDEM Help. Utah State University; 2005.
6 Andrade E. Geoprocessamento para Linux. [Internet]. [cited 2011]. Available from:
http://geoparalinux.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/delimitacao-automatica-de-bacia-hidrografica-
usando-mapwindow-gis/.
7 Tarboton D. A New Method for the Determination of Flow Directions and Contributing Areas in
Grid Digital Elevation Models. Water Resources Research. 33(2).

Comments to:
vladyman@hotmail.co.uk

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