CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness
Water resources engineers and geospatial analysts often face the challenge of spatially estimating parameters such as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Curve Number (CN) and Manning’s roughness number (n), which are critical for predicting runoff and streamflow in hydrologic studies. Addressing th...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Water |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/20/3581 |
| _version_ | 1797572061405642752 |
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| author | Babak Alizadeh Rouzbeh Berton |
| author_facet | Babak Alizadeh Rouzbeh Berton |
| author_sort | Babak Alizadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Water resources engineers and geospatial analysts often face the challenge of spatially estimating parameters such as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Curve Number (CN) and Manning’s roughness number (n), which are critical for predicting runoff and streamflow in hydrologic studies. Addressing the above challenge, this paper presents an innovative ArcMap tool developed using Python. This tool streamlines the SCS-CN and Manning’s n spatial calculations and is designed to handle large datasets, even at the scale of the entire US. Additionally, it offers the unique capability of geoprocessing mixed soil types and seamlessly integrating data if the watershed spans over different states. Our tool automates the integration of land cover data, hydrologic soil group data, and hydrologic boundaries. The tool reads watershed boundaries and uses the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO) to develop SCS-CN and Manning’s n spatial layers. The tool also offers users the unique flexibility to add any desired values for CN or Manning’s n in the form of a so-called lookup table, which is a great help with the iterative process of calibrating hydrologic or hydraulic models. Our tool addressed one of the major limitations of its predecessors, acknowledging the existence of mixed hydrologic soil groups, e.g., B/C or C/D, and allowing for user adjustments to address hydrologic or hydraulic models’ calibration needs. The tool was developed with a flexible framework to incorporate additional spatial parameters soon, such as the spatial green-ampt parameters. With a user-friendly interface and integration capabilities, the tool is invaluable for hydrologic and hydraulic studies at local, regional, and global scales. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:49:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f4ae0d9267fa452b8b79ce9255dbb0b0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:49:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-f4ae0d9267fa452b8b79ce9255dbb0b02023-11-19T18:29:45ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412023-10-011520358110.3390/w15203581CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s RoughnessBabak Alizadeh0Rouzbeh Berton1Stantec Consulting Services Inc., 6080 Tennyson Pkwy Ste 200, Plano, TX 75024, USAStantec Consulting Services Inc., 6080 Tennyson Pkwy Ste 200, Plano, TX 75024, USAWater resources engineers and geospatial analysts often face the challenge of spatially estimating parameters such as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Curve Number (CN) and Manning’s roughness number (n), which are critical for predicting runoff and streamflow in hydrologic studies. Addressing the above challenge, this paper presents an innovative ArcMap tool developed using Python. This tool streamlines the SCS-CN and Manning’s n spatial calculations and is designed to handle large datasets, even at the scale of the entire US. Additionally, it offers the unique capability of geoprocessing mixed soil types and seamlessly integrating data if the watershed spans over different states. Our tool automates the integration of land cover data, hydrologic soil group data, and hydrologic boundaries. The tool reads watershed boundaries and uses the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and the Gridded Soil Survey Geographic Database (gSSURGO) to develop SCS-CN and Manning’s n spatial layers. The tool also offers users the unique flexibility to add any desired values for CN or Manning’s n in the form of a so-called lookup table, which is a great help with the iterative process of calibrating hydrologic or hydraulic models. Our tool addressed one of the major limitations of its predecessors, acknowledging the existence of mixed hydrologic soil groups, e.g., B/C or C/D, and allowing for user adjustments to address hydrologic or hydraulic models’ calibration needs. The tool was developed with a flexible framework to incorporate additional spatial parameters soon, such as the spatial green-ampt parameters. With a user-friendly interface and integration capabilities, the tool is invaluable for hydrologic and hydraulic studies at local, regional, and global scales.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/20/3581soil conservation servicecurve numberManning’s roughnesshydrologyhydraulicsmodelling |
| spellingShingle | Babak Alizadeh Rouzbeh Berton CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness Water soil conservation service curve number Manning’s roughness hydrology hydraulics modelling |
| title | CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness |
| title_full | CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness |
| title_fullStr | CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness |
| title_full_unstemmed | CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness |
| title_short | CN-N: A Python-based ArcGIS Tool for Generating SCS Curve Number and Manning’s Roughness |
| title_sort | cn n a python based arcgis tool for generating scs curve number and manning s roughness |
| topic | soil conservation service curve number Manning’s roughness hydrology hydraulics modelling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/20/3581 |
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