Engineering Software Development
in the Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services Group
Contact: Tony Wahl, 303-445-2155
New link! Reclamation-wide Listing of Hydraulics and Water Resources Software Tools
The Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services Group has developed many software applications that meet special analysis needs related to water resources engineering. Some older examples include:
- RADGAT — software for determining discharge through canal radial gates
- Engineering Monograph 42: Cavitation in Chutes and Spillways — The software provided with this monograph can be used to analyze water surface profiles and cavitation potential in high-velocity spillway flows, accounting for effects of air entrainment and surface roughness and offsets
- Monograph 42 (PDF File, 12.1 MB)
- Cavitation Software (ZIP file containing DOS executables, example data files, etc.)
- HDCOW — Head-discharge curves for outlet works, developed cooperatively with Waterways and Concrete Dams Group for analysis of outlet works discharge capacities
- USBRWeir.xls — An Excel spreadsheet application that can be used to create rating tables and simplified rating equations for common sharp-crested weirs used on irrigation projects. The spreadsheet uses the Kindsvater-Carter equations to calibrate weirs that are both partially and fully contracted. The spreadsheet is available at this time for beta testing.
- WinFlume — Windows-based software for the design and calibration of long-throated flumes and broad-crested weirs. This project was a cooperative effort between Reclamation, the Agricultural Research Service, and the International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement. The software is used throughout the U.S. and in more than 40 foreign countries.
- WinADV — Windows-based software for analysis and post-processing of data collected from acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) probes. Since their development 8 years ago, ADV’s have become the most commonly used velocity-measurement instrument in many hydraulics laboratories. The WinADV program was developed in the Hydraulic Investigations and Laboratory Services Group and is used by hydraulics laboratories worldwide.
- PIDSim — This is a simplified, educational simulation of the PID control algorithm, applied to a canal automation situation. It demonstrates the tuning of the algorithm and the influence of secondary factors such as noisy sensors, deadbands, sensor filtering, etc.
- Coanda-Effect Screen Performance — One product of the Coanda-effect screen research program is a computer program that can be used to analyze and design Coanda-effect screens, used for low-maintenance debris and fish screening.
- BFI — BFI computes the base-flow index for small natural drainage basins (the ratio of base flow to total runoff, on an annual basis). The program uses an objective, repeatable base flow separation technique that can be easily applied to large data sets.
Last reviewed: 06/08/05