1. Using Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) Data with WinTR-55
Prepared by Quan D. Quan
Hydraulic Engineer, WNTSC
Legislative Office Building
Hartford, Connecticut
October 26, 2010
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

2. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Background
Joint collaboration between:
Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC)
NOAA Regional Climate Centers, Applied Climate Information System (ACIS), National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), and Cornell University
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York
This project is a joint collaboration between: Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

3. Using NRCC Data with WinTR-55
Option 1:
Download data from NRCC website
Import to WinTR-20
Develop Rainfall Distribution for each storms frequency (2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, and 100-year)
Import individual Rainfall Distribution to WinTR-55 (example: 10-year or 25-year)
Since we’re using the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) data with WinTR-55 computer program
Option 1:
. Download NRCC data (text file) from the website
. Import the NRCC text file onto WinTR-20 – because WinTR-20 will develop the rainfall distributions for all frequency (such as 1-yr -500-yr)
. Import the individual rainfall distribution onto WinTR-55 (example: 25-yr)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

4. Using NRCC Data with WinTR-55
Option 2:
Download data from NRCC website
Develop Regional Regression Rainfall Distribution
Update Rainfall Storm Data (1-year, 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, and 100-year)
Import Rainfall Distribution to WinTR-55
Since we’re using the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) data with WinTR-55 computer program
Option 2:
. Download NRCC data from the website
. Using the regions rainfall distribution was developed for the Northeast
. Update the Rainfall Storm database
. Import regions rainfall distribution onto WinTR-55
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

5. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Option 1
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

6. Northeast Regional Climate Center web site:
You could open up the Extreme Precipitation in New York & New England – An interactive Web Tool for Extreme Precipitation Analysis: .
precip.eas.cornell.edu.
Open the NRCC web site at or
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

7. Import NRCC Data into WinTR-20
From the “Data & Products” tab – Select “Extreme Precipitation Tables – Text/CSV?” under the “Select Product?”
From the “Data & Products” tab
Click “Extreme Precipitation Tables – Text/CSV?” from the “Select Product?”
Click “Extreme Precipitation Tables – Text/CSV” from “Select Product ?”
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

8. Import NRCC Data into WinTR-20
You could request rainfall data from the three location:
By “Located by Address?”
Enter “Locate by Lat/Lon?”
Select “Locate by State / County?” from a dropdown list
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

9. Import NRCC Data into WinTR-20
For this Option 1 – we will entering the Long and Lat.
Enter “Long and Lat”
For Smoothing – default will be set on “Yes”
Click “Submit” button.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

10. Import NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Save the text file:
Find a folder within your computer.
Make sure the “Save as type:” is on “Text Document”
Give a name “Fairfield Co_CT.txt” and click “Save” button.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

11. Import NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Using Windows Explorer, go to the “WinTR-20 Executables” directory and click on
The following WinTR-20 System Controller/ Editor Screen comes up:
Now you’re ready to import the text file from NRCC web site onto WinTR-20 computer program:
Open up the WinTR-20 computer program
Using either Windows Explorer or the shortcut on your desktop
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

12. Import NOAA-NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Select “Import NOAA - NRCC Data” from “File” pulldown menu.
Locate the directory, select text file name “CT_Windham.txt”
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

13. Import NOAA-NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Option to smooth the NOAA – NRCC Data ? Yes, for this example.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

14. Import NOAA-NRCC Data into WinTR-20
WinTR-20 Identifier window will pop up
Edit / Enter
- Min. Hydrograph Value
- Watershed Description
Click “Accept Changes
(Close)” to close
this window
The WinTR-20 Identifier window will popup :
The user have a option to either “Edit/Enter “
Input Units Code: default on English
Output Units Code: default on English
Minimum Hydrograph Values: cfs
Watershed Description: required something on the first line
Click “Accept Changes (Close)” button.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

15. Import NOAA-NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Brings you back to the WinTR-20 System Controller / Editor window
Double click on “Storm Analysis:”
Double click on “Rainfall Distribution:”
This will bring you back to the WinTR-20 System Controller/Editor window:
To view the Storm data – double click on “Storm Analysis:”
To view the new Rainfall Distribution develop from WinTR-20 – double click on “Rainfall Distribution:’”
Note: the “X” indicates some data entered for that section.
Note: (X indicates some data entered for section)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

16. Import NOAA-NRCC Data into WinTR-20
Select “Rain Table Identifier:” from pull down menu.
Click “Display Data” button for graphical view of the Rainfall Distribution.
Click “No Changes (Close)” button to close this window.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

17. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Standard Curve
Smooth Curve
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

18. Import Rainfall Distribution into WinTR-55
Go to:
C:\Documents and Settings\your name (folder)\Application Data\WinTR-55
Double click on “RainfallDistributions” folder
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

19. Import Rainfall Distribution into WinTR-55
Double click on “Florida Type II.tbl”
Highlighted and right click on the mouse
Click “Paste”
Locate the “Florida TypeII.tbl” within the folder:
To view the “Florida Type II.tbl” data – double click on “Florida TypeII.tbl”
To copy the new Rainfall Distribution develop from WinTR-20 – by highlighted and right click on the mouse.
Click “Paste” to copy the new Rainfall Distribution.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

20. Import Rainfall Distribution into WinTR-55
Save the new Rainfall Distribution for Connecticut
Click “Save As” from “File”
Enter a name –for this example use “Windham_CT_25-Year.tbl”
Now save the new Rainfall Distribution back to that folder:
To save the new rainfall distribution for Maine – click on “Save As” from “File”
Enter a name for this example – type in “Windham_CT-25-Year.tbl”.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

21. Single Sub-area Watershed with Minimum Data Requirements
Entering Data, Using NRCC Data, Running the Program and Interpreting Output
Example – Option 1
Single Sub-area Watershed with Minimum Data Requirements
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

22. Windham County, Connecticut
Example – Option 1
Determine the runoff volume and peak discharge for the current (existing) watershed conditions.
Drainage Area (Area 1)
24.50 acres
Runoff Curve Number 74
Time of Concentration
0.237 hours
Windham County, Connecticut
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

23. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Now on the Main Window you should see that the State and County matches the Storm Data Source. For this case Option 2, the Franklin County, Maine should be use.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

24. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
To open the “Storm Data” window.
Click on icon.
For the case Option 1, the Windham County, Connecticut data is the selected for State and County:
 Click on “Storm Data” icon
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

25. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For this Option 1 in the slide, the Franklin County, Missouri data is the selected storm data. That needs to be changed to “Windham County, Connecticut”.
 To replace these storm data with those compiled by the NRCS for Fairfield County, CT, click on the command button below.
 Click the “NRCS Storm Data” to replace the storm data and return to the Main Window.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

26. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For this Option 2 in the slide, the Windham County, CT data is the selected storm data. The Rainfall Distribution Type needs to be changed ”.
 Enter the Rainfall Return Period (25 yr) and 24-Hr Rainfall Amount (in)
 Select new Rainfall Distribution Type: “Windham_CT_25-Year from drop down menu.
 Click the Accept button to accept the data and return to the Main Window.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

27. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For the case illustrated in the slide, the Windham County, Connecticut data is the selected storm data. That needs to be changed to “User-provided custom storm data”.
 Delete all the Rainfall Return Period (yr) and 24-Hr Rainfall Amount (in)
Enter the new “Rainfall Return Period (yr): 25 “
Enter the new “24-Hr Rainfall Amount (in): 5.94”
Select “ Windham_CT_25-Year” the new proposed “Rainfall Distribution Type:” from the pull down list.
To accept the data and return to the Main Window – click on “Accept” button.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

28. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Now on the Main Window you should see that the State and County matches the Storm Data Source, so the proper rainfall data will be used.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

29. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Since this is a single sub-area watershed and complete data are given for this problem (on the previous slide), you may enter this information directly onto the WinTR-55 Main Window.
 Here, is the Project Identification Data: User ID, Project Description, Subtitle, and State and County.
 The Sub-area is expressed in acres.
 And under the Sub-area Entry and Summary portion of the window is the Sub-area Name and Description; the location to which runoff from this Sub-area flows (the Outlet); and finally, the drainage Area; Curve Number and Time of Concentration.
All the appropriate data is entered on the main window, so now you’re all ready to execute a run, right?
(Allow students time to study the window and answer the question….)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

30. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Run WinTR-55 Window
After all the watershed data is entered on the WinTR-55 Main Window, click Run from the main window menu bar or the Run button to select which storms to run.
 In this case, the 25-year storm event is only ones available.
 After selecting the storm events, click the “Run” button to execute the run and generate output.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

31. Hydrograph Peak/Peak Time Table
Once the run is completed, WinTR-55 automatically opens the File Display window and displays the Hydrograph Peak/Peak Time Table. From this table, you can see that the computed peak discharges are:
 For the 25-year storm: cfs
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

32. WinTR-20 Printed Page File
To find the runoff volume for this storm, you must go to the WinTR-20 Printed Page File.
 For this analysis, you should see the runoff volume for this storm , the 25-year return interval event, is inches.
 You might observe that the runoff volume differs from the value you might obtain by actually computing the volume using the NRCS Runoff Equation.
WinTR-20 actually computes the runoff volume by summing the area under the hydrograph using the hydrograph ordinates as shown on the WinTR-20 Printed Page File. The hydrograph coordinate points are cut off at a minimum value of 0.05 cfs. Therefore, when summing the area under the hydrograph the tails of the hydrographs are cut off, and that area for points where discharges are less than 0.05 cfs are ignored.
This can be problematic on small watersheds, particularly those with low peak discharges. For this reason, you MUST EXERCISE GREAT CAUTION when using WinTR-55 on very small drainage areas.
As a result, the runoff volume as computed by WinTR-20 will be less than that estimated using the NRCS Runoff Equation. Neither WinTR-55 nor WinTR-20 actually compute the volume using the NRCS Runoff Equation. This will be rectified in a future version of WinTR-55.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

33. Results – Option 1 Windham County, Connecticut
TP-40
NRCC Data
Rainfall Data
25-Year
5.5 in
5.94 in
Rainfall Distribution Type
Type III
WinTR-20
Peak Discharge
59.86 cfs
76.92 cfs
Runoff Amount
2.769 in
3.130 in
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

34. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

35. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Option 2
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

36. Using NRCC Data with WinTR-55
Option 2:
Download data from NRCC website
Develop Regional Regression Rainfall Distribution
Update Rainfall Storm Data (1-year, 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, 25-year, 50-year, and 100-year)
Import Rainfall Distribution onto WinTR-55
Since we’re using the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) data with WinTR-55 computer program
Option 2:
. Download NRCC data from the website
. Using the regions rainfall distribution was developed for the Northeast
. Update the Rainfall Storm database
. Import regions rainfall distribution onto WinTR-55
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

37. Single Sub-area Watershed with Minimum Data Requirements
Entering Data, Using NRCC Data, Running the Program and Interpreting Output
Example – Option 2
Single Sub-area Watershed with Minimum Data Requirements
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

38. Windham County, Connecticut
Example – Option 2
Determine the runoff volume and peak discharge for the current (existing) watershed conditions.
Drainage Area (Area 1)
24.50 acres
Runoff Curve Number 76
Time of Concentration
0.237 hours
Windham County, Connecticut
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

39. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Since this is a single sub-area watershed and complete data are given for this problem (on the previous slide), you may enter this information directly onto the WinTR-55 Main Window.
 Here, is the Project Identification Data: User ID, Project Description, Subtitle, and State and County.
 The Sub-area is expressed in acres.
 And under the Sub-area Entry and Summary portion of the window is the Sub-area Name and Description; the location to which runoff from this Sub-area flows (the Outlet); and finally, the drainage Area; Curve Number and Time of Concentration.
All the appropriate data is entered on the main window, so now you’re all ready to execute a run, right?
(Allow students time to study the window and answer the question….)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

40. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
To open the “Storm Data” window.
Click on icon.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

41. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For the case illustrated in the slide, the Windham County, Connecticut data is the selected storm data. To replace these storm data with those complied by the NRCS for Windham County, CT, click on the command button below. 
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

42. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010

43. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For the case illustrated in the slide, the Windham County, Connecticut data is the selected storm data.
 Select new Rainfall Distribution Type: NE_B from drop down menu.
 Click the Accept button to accept the data and return to the Main Window.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

44. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Storm Data Window
For the case illustrated in the slide, the user selected “Windham County, CT” and new regions rainfall distribution type: “NE_B” :
 Click the Accept button to accept the data and return to the Main Window.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

45. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Now on the Main Window you should see that the State and County matches the Storm Data Source, so the proper rainfall data will be used.
So now you’re ready to enter your data, right?
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

46. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
WinTR-55 Main Window
Since this is a single sub-area watershed and complete data are given for this problem (on the previous slide), you may enter this information directly onto the WinTR-55 Main Window.
 Here, is the Project Identification Data: User ID, Project Description, Subtitle, and State and County.
 The Sub-area is expressed in acres.
 And under the Sub-area Entry and Summary portion of the window is the Sub-area Name and Description; the location to which runoff from this Sub-area flows (the Outlet); and finally, the drainage Area; Curve Number and Time of Concentration.
All the appropriate data is entered on the main window, so now you’re all ready to execute a run, right?
(Allow students time to study the window and answer the question….)
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

47. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Run WinTR-55 Window
After all the watershed data is entered on the WinTR-55 Main Window, click Run from the main window menu bar or the Run button to select which storms to run.
 In this case, the 25-year storm event were selected.
 After selecting the storm events, click the Run button to execute the run and generate output.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

48. Hydrograph Peak/Peak Time Table
Once the run is completed, WinTR-55 automatically opens the File Display window and displays the Hydrograph Peak/Peak Time Table. From this table, you can see that the computed peak discharges are:
 For the 25-year storm: cfs
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

49. WinTR-20 Printed Page File
To find the runoff volume for this storm, you must go to the WinTR-20 Printed Page File.
 For this analysis, you should see the runoff volume for this storm , the 25-year return interval event, was inches.
 You might observe that the runoff volume differs from the value you might obtain by actually computing the volume using the NRCS Runoff Equation.
WinTR-20 actually computes the runoff volume by summing the area under the hydrograph using the hydrograph ordinates as shown on the WinTR-20 Printed Page File. The hydrograph coordinate points are cut off at a minimum value of 0.05 cfs. Therefore, when summing the area under the hydrograph the tails of the hydrographs are cut off, and that area for points where discharges are less than 0.05 cfs are ignored.
This can be problematic on small watersheds, particularly those with low peak discharges. For this reason, you MUST EXERCISE GREAT CAUTION when using WinTR-55 on very small drainage areas.
As a result, the runoff volume as computed by WinTR-20 will be less than that estimated using the NRCS Runoff Equation. Neither WinTR-55 nor WinTR-20 actually compute the volume using the NRCS Runoff Equation. This will be rectified in a future version of WinTR-55.
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

50. Results – Option 2 Windham, Connecticut
TP-40
NRCC Data
Rainfall Data
25-Year
5.5 in
5.94 in
Rainfall Distribution Type
Type III
Regions
NE_B
Peak Discharge
59.86 cfs
73.64 cfs
Runoff Amount
2.769 in
3.131 in
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
NRCC Data with WinTR-55

51. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
The End
NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data

52. NRCC Data - Connecticut October 2010
Import NOAA Atlas Data