[GRASSLIST:9643] Re: water resource management with GRASS & RDBMS

[Michael Barton]

Replying to MS and Massimiliano,

I spent a little time trying to see what it is that ArcHydro actually does.
It is indeed a complex hydrological data model, in part due the fact that it
is operationalized in a vector environment. A large part of the ArcHydro
data model looks like it could be done in the GRASS environment with an
RDBMS (a number possible with GRASS, including PostgreSQL [with PostGIS],
MySQL [widely known and also has a spatial data extension, though the latter
doesn't seem as well known as PostGIS], SQLite [compact, with all tables in
a single file]). The availability of network analysis tools for GRASS and
the fact that it is topological are helpful in this regard.

That said, it seems at an admittedly brief glance, that a considerable
amount of ArcHydro functionality could be achievable and perhaps simpler
using the GRASS raster tools. Hydrological analysis and modeling has a long
history in GRASS and is particularly well developed, with numerous
modules--including, for example, r.flow, r.terraflow, r.basin.fill,
r.watershed, r.topmodel, etc.

When these are combined with the mapcalculator and scripted, you can do a
lot.

Michael
__________________________________________
Michael Barton, Professor of Anthropology
School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-2402

phone: 480-965-6213
fax: 480-965-7671
www: http://www.public.asu.edu/~cmbarton



> From: Massimiliano Cannata <massimiliano.cannata at supsi.ch>
> Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 16:02:19 +0100
> To: M S <mseibel at gmail.com>
> Cc: GRASS Users List <grasslist at baylor.edu>
> Subject: [GRASSLIST:9627] Re: water resource management with GRASS & RDBMS
> 
> Hello, I've just used some functions of the ArcHydroTools....
> Then I just developed a DB structure for online-realtime stationa and a
> Rainfall-runoff Distributed Model within GRASS (embedded)....
> I think that your idea is really nice and helpfull.
> I also think that it could be ported in the OpenSource by using GRASS
> data structure!!!
> I also believe that I could adjust my model to get starting data and
> pre-processing from this new data structure,
> in order to build an hydrologic GRASS application structure...
> 
> I used the perfix h.modulename for my new developed command.
> This could be an idea....
> 
> currently my model name is HydroFOSS... so OpenHydro I think is free :-)
> 
> Let me know your impression.
> 
> Have a nice holyday.
> 
> Massimiliano
> 
> 
> M S wrote:
> 
>> As some of you may or may not know.  that OTHER software company is trying
>> to establish their Geodatabase data model as a "GIS standard" (at least this
>> is the trend in the US from what I'm seeing).  I havent been impressed or
>> enthused about it at all.  This second generation, "windows only" software
>> (arcmap) by that other company has had many, many shortcomings, failure to
>> function in a production environment, and bugs that hardly justify the price
>> tag.
>> 
>> In their attempt to weave the Geodatabase into the fabric of government
>> agencies and large corporations, which has the trickle down effect on
>> consultants who work for them (Water management agencies in this specific
>> application), they have come out with this "ArcHydro" concept.  RFPs are
>> coming out asking for "ArcHydro".
>> 
>> The book for arcHydro states right up front, (although you have to really
>> read between the lines), it is still a pre/post processor for real water
>> model simulation software to do what they do best.  However, it is obviously
>> biased from that other company's geodatabase approach.  In reading it thus
>> far, i really dont see why this cannot be done with GRASS and a RDBMS.
>> 
>> Has anyone implemented and used arcHydro?  If so, what is your thoughts on a
>> GRASS/RDBMS approach?
>> 
>> Would anyone find a corresponding open source solution document, which
>> unless conflicting with an existing name already, I will call "OpenHydro",
>> useful as an open source solution to what the proprietary company is
>> promoting in their latest round of propaganda?
>> 
>> I am forced to learn this ArcHydro procedure/framework to do a project our
>> company won, which called specifically for the implementation of ArcHydro.
>> However, through my readings and implementation, I plan on making the same
>> concept available through open source tools, specifically with the use of
>> GRASS and a RDBMS.
>> 
>> Basically I'm looking to find 1) anyone who has used arcHydro and 2) if
>> there is interest in generating an "OpenHydro" alternative using GRASS.
>> 
>> Surely all the open source developers and users are on the "nice" list of
>> Santa!
>> 
>> Wishing Happy Holidays around the world!
>> 
>>  
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> Eng. Massimiliano Cannata
> Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana
> Istituto Scienze della Terra
> Via Trevano, c.p. 72
> CH-6952 Canobbio-Lugano
> Tel: +41 (0)58 666 62 18
> Fax +41 (0)58 666 62 09