Arc Hydro

Arc Hydro is an ArcGIS extension that was introduced in 2002 with the goal of standardizing an
efficient way to analyze the hydrologic data. Arc Hydro has three main components: Standard format for
storing data, Data relationships based on hydrologic principles, Tools specifically designed for dealing with
hydrologic data. Arc Hydro also has versions:

• Arc Hydro Framework: Only necessary feature classes to create flow network
• Arc Hydro Framework with Time Series: can use time series data in analysis
• Arc Hydro Full Model: Everything found in the other 2 versions + river schematics, channels, and flow
exchange points

*Since the Spatial Analysis Lab (SAL) now has ArcGIS 9.1, you MUST have Arc Hydro v 1.1 Final
which is only installed on computers 30 and 31.

To Begin: You must do all the preprocessing steps in order and accept all default names to build the correct
data relationships.

Preprocessing Steps:

*Open DEM and a stream, river or waterbody layer

Turn on Spatial Analyst
Right click  select spatial analyst
Turn on Arc Hydro Tools
Right click  Arc Hydro Tools
 *Begin Terrain Preprocessing
Terrain Preprocessing  DEM Reconditioning
Uses a vector data set to enforce a linear drainage pattern on the Raw DEM

Terrain Preprocessing  Build Walls

Creates walls in the DEM at the boundary of selected input polygons

Terrain Preprocessing  Fill Sinks

Fills any sinks that may exist in the DEM
Terrain Preprocessing  Flow Direction
Creates a grid of flow direction

Terrain Preprocessing  Flow Accumulation

Uses the flow direction grid to create a flow accumulation grid
Terrain Preprocessing  Stream Definition
Creates a stream grid based on the flow accumulation
Terrain Preprocessing  Stream Segmentation
Links any two stream junctions using the stream grid
Terrain Preprocessing  Catchment Grid Delineation
Identifies areas that drain into each stream link
Terrain Preprocessing  Catchment Polygon Processing
Turns the catchment grid into a polygon

Terrain Preprocessing  Drainage Line Processing

Forms streams from stream link grid
Terrain Preprocessing  Adjoint Catchment Processing
Creates polygons for each catchment that show total upstream area draining into a
given catchment

Terrain Preprocessing  Drainage Point Processing

Creates drainage points for each catchment where the flow accumulation value is
highest
Terrain Preprocessing  Longest Flow Path for Catchments
Finds the longest continuous flow path in each catchment

Terrain Preprocessing  Longest Flow Path for Adjoint Catchments

Finds the longest continuous flow path for each adjoint catchment

Terrain Preprocessing  Slope

Uses the Raw DEM to create a slope grid
Terrain Preprocessing  Slope Greater than 30
Uses the slope grid to create a grid of slopes greater than 30

Terrain Preprocessing  Slope Greater than 30 and Facing North

Uses the slope grid to create a grid of slopes greater than 30% and facing north
Terrain Preprocessing  Weighted Flow Accumulation
Creates weighted flow accumulation from the flow direction grid
 After completing preprocessing a user is able to use the new data to further analyze the data set
with the other Arc Hydro menus; Terrain Morphology, Watershed Processing, Attribute Tools, Network
Tools, Network Tools, ApUtilities, Buttons and Tools. Terrain Morphology tools are used to perform
initial analysis of non-dendritic terrain. Watershed Processing tools operate on top of the spatial data
produced in the preprocessing stage to create watersheds and subwatersheds. The Attribute Tools
provide a means for creation of some of the key fields in the Arc Hydro data model. The Network Tools
create or change properties of the geometric (hydro) network. ApUtilities are tools are rarely used but
are for management of Arc Hydro project properties.
 Examples of Watershed Processing Tools with Padden Creek data

A Selection of Watershed Processing Tools:

• Batch Watershed Delineation

Creates a watershed from a point (or a point feature class) you create using the Batch Point Generation
tool.

Steps:

Click on the batch point generation tool on the Arc Hydro Toolbar.

Click on the DEM to create Batch Point Feature Class. The following window opens up, fill in fields
appropriately:

Watershed Processing  Batch Watershed delineation

The window should appear as follows, accept the default inputs, but you can change the watershed
names.

Click okay and let it run!

 • Construct 3D Line
Creates a 3D line from linear feature using the Raw DEM.

Steps:

Watershed Processing  Construct 3D Line

Make sure the input DEM is the name of the Raw DEM.

• Flow Path Parameters from 3D line

Computes length, slope, and 10-85 slope using the 3D line.

Steps:

Watershed Processing  Flow Path Parameters from 3D Line

A selection of Buttons and Tools:

• Flow Path Tracing

This tool uses the flow direction grid to follow the downstream path from any point defined by the user.
This is done based on the steepest descent.

Steps:

Click on Flow Path Tracing tool located on the Toolbar.

Click on desired point on DEM. Arc Hydro will calculate the flow path.
Note: No feature class is created for this tool.

• Batch Point Generation

 This tool adds points chosen by the user to a batch point feature class. The points from the batch point
feature class can be used as an input for the batch watershed and subwatershed delineation functions of the
Watershed Processing tool menu.
References

• Arc Hydro Tools Overview and Tutuorial, ESRI

• ESRI user forums

• Arc Hydro Help Tools

• Arc Hydro: GIS for Water Resources, D.R. Maidment, editor

• Basics of Arc Hydro: Building a New Foundation for Water Resources, seminar Material from Stefan

• J drive