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Storm Flow Simulator Introduction | How to Use the Simulator | Lesson

Land Management and Storm Flow Simulator - Stella™ Model:
Introduction

Background

The Land Management and Storm Flow Simulator (SFS) is a Stella™ Model created as part of the NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at Stroud Water Research Center. The SFS is a simulation of a hypothetical stream basin and the resultant stream flow associated with five different land uses and management practices. It is not a predictive model for actual flow in a real stream basin. It was designed to give grade 7-10 students an interactive tool to explore the relationships between land use, land management tools, overland flow and flooding during precipitation events. The tabular and graphical outputs will give students practice reading, interpreting and comparing data in a graphical format. Ideally, students will explore the model as either an inquiry or guided activity and learn concepts related to storm water management that they may be able to apply to their local environment. In the context of a larger watershed unit, the simulator can be used prior to visiting local streams to provide some background. Model components are discussed below.

The students will primarily work with the interface layer of the model, however, will be able to see the “model” layer using navigation buttons from the interface. Viewing the model layer and associated notes will allow students to view the flow of the model in a format similar to a flow chart or concept map. The equation layer is hidden.

This simulator will allow students to explore the following:

1. How a storm event results in different stream flow conditions depending on land use and management decisions.
2. How changes to land use and land management within a basin can be balanced to limit flooding or reduce storm flow.
3. The differences in land use and the resulting impacts to stream flow during precipitation events.

Equipment

You will need to download the free isee Player from isee Systems.
Go to http://www.iseesystems.com/softwares/player/iseeplayer.aspx to download the software.

System requirements:

For Windows	For Macintosh
233 MHz Pentium Microsoft Windows ™ 2000/XP (English version) 128 MB RAM 70 MB of hard disk space 16-bit color SoundBlaster-compatible sound card QuickTime	120 MHz PowerPC Mac OS 10.2.8 or higher (English version) 128 MB RAM 70 MB of hard disk space Thousands of colors QuickTime

Once you have downloaded the player, you are ready to learn more about the model.

Land Management and Storm Flow Simulator - Stella™ Model:
How to use the storm flow simulator

Once you have downloaded the free isee Player from isee Systems (see system requirements above) you will need to download the SWRC stormflow model.

Right-click on the following link and save the file to your computer:Stella model [12.7MB]

You are now ready to open the model in the isee Player and explore the model components described below.

The following image presents a screen capture of the interface layer controls.
This is the page the students will navigate from to run the model.

Model Components

Sub-basins

There are 5 sub-basins with different characteristics:

1. Agricultural
2. Industrial
3. Residential (suburban)
4. Urban
5. Forested

Precipitation

A pre-defined storm event occurs uniformly over all basin areas.

Flow at Bridge

All sub-basins flow into a stream and flow under the “Bridge”. This point is used as a reference point to evaluate flood flow. Flow at the bridge changes based on inputs to the various land use percentages and storm water controls.

Outflow from Bridge

The stream stretch associated with the bridge acts to build up flow during storm events. It is drained at a slower rate than it accumulates during the rain event. This is a typical response during storm events.

Land Areas and Input Controls (see a screen shot of the control panel below)

Each of the sub basins above is allotted 20% of a 1000 acre (42,560,000 sq. ft.) basin.

• The urban basin is held at a constant 20%.
• The Agricultural basin may be increased or decreased from 0% to 40% with a corresponding decrease or increase to the forested land. A sliding input device on the control panel is used to control this.
• The forested land % changes as indicated above. Additionally, runoff from the forested land can change as a result of the user allowing clear cutting of the forested land.
• The Industrial basin may be increased or decreased from 0% to 40% with a corresponding decrease or increase to the residential land. A sliding input device on the control panel is used to control this. Additionally, runoff from the industrial land can change as a result of the user implementing storm water runoff controls. Inputs for this are also on the control panel.
• The Residential land % changes as indicated above. Additionally, runoff from the residential land can change as a result of the user implementing storm water runoff controls.

Model Outputs and Tools

Model outputs include two graphs and a table. The graphs and table have a buttons allowing the user to “jump” to them.

• Graph 1 shows the total flow at the bridge, precipitation and outflow from the bridge as a function of time.
• Graph 2 “Sub-basin discharge graph” compares the flow from each sub-basin over time.
• The table is a compilation of the flow at each of the 5 sub-basins and the outflow from the bridge. Data can be exported and used elsewhere.
• After the model is run, the altered sub-basin areas are displayed in tabular form on the control panel.
• Additionally, the final output flow is tabulated on the control panel.
• The model can be unveiled in a step-by-step fashion by clicking on the button titled “Click me to follow the model to see how it works”.
• Students can view photographs of the different land uses by clicking on the button titled “See the Five Land Use Types”.

All graphs and table can be printed by right clicking on your mouse and selecting the appropriate print function.

Next you can access a lesson plan intended to allow the user to become familiar with the model interface and outputs so that additional lessons can be performed.

Land Management and Storm Flow Simulator - Stella™ Model:
Lesson

The lesson is intended to allow the user to become familiar with the model interface and outputs so that additional lessons can be performed.

Materials and Equipment

The Land Management and Storm Flow Simulator can be saved as a file and run on a PC or MAC. See the equipment notes if you need to know how to access the model.

Once you have the Web-based version working on your browser, work your way through the following prompts [PDF; 63KB] to get to know the model better.