: Imagery
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can be found in the Indiana Hydrology and Hydraulics Model Library?
back to topThe model library is a mapping application for the State of Indiana that allows you to view and download available hydrology and hydraulic models along a waterway. These models have been compiled by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and are provided as a service. Please see the disclaimer section for a description of the liability associated with the use of these models.
Models are stored in the IDNR database by stream reach, by selecting a stream reach, the available models are shown on the right hand side of the screen. Stream reaches are defined by the reaches in the Coordinated Needs Management Strategy (CNMS) Database, which was developed by FEMA to manage floodplain mapping information. The version of the CNMS database used here is not the official version; this version has been adapted for use in this application. For the current CNMS data and more information, see http://cnms.riskmapcds.com/Main.aspx.
How are these models used to evaluate projects?
back to topMany of the models stored here were used to evaluate projects that were submitted for approval for construction in a floodway per the Indiana Flood Control Act. Use of these models for the evaluation of future projects is detailed in General Guidelines for the Hydrologic-Hydraulic Assessment of Floodplains in Indiana. The guidelines were created to assist the floodplain management community in establishing base flood elevations and floodway limits and in evaluating projects in accordance with the Indiana Flood Control Act and the National Flood Insurance Program. The guidelines detail methods acceptable to both the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with respect to hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and floodplain mapping. Also included in this guide are recommendations on presenting results of a floodplain study and other useful reference material. The guidelines are found at http://www.in.gov/dnr/water/5710.htm.
What Type of Models are available?
back to topPERMIT models are the models submitted in support of a Construction in a Floodway permit from the Division of Water. These models are typically the final model submitted for approval. The model listing should not be considered a definitive listing of all applications for a stream reach, please see http://www.in.gov/apps/dnr/water/query/dnr_water_permit_query for a more comprehensive listing of applications.
FARA (Floodplain Analysis and Regulatory Assessment) models are models used by the Division of Water to determine Base Flood Elevations and/or Floodway limits for streams not included in a Flood Insurance Study.
The Permit and FARA models gathered here are electronic copies of the input files to various modeling programs either submitted to or developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Division of Water in the process of reviewing and approving projects or determining floodplain information. However, it is the user's responsibility to verify that the models obtained from this site match what has been approved in IDNR files. We strongly suggest that users of these models examine the respective FARA / Permit files at IDNR to assure that the downloaded files match the approved files. If changes obtained through the model library are needed to the files to assure that they match the approved FARA or Permit model, it is the user's responsibility to make these changes, not IDNR.
FIS & LOMR models are the models used in creating Flood Insurance studies. The FIS and LOMR models available on this website are, to the best of our knowledge, electronic copies of the input files to various modeling programs used to calculate the water surface profiles and floodway limits for the respective Flood Insurance Studies. However, the IDNR does not guarantee these models to be the legal models for FEMA purposes. It is the user's responsibility to confirm that these models are the effective models for the FIS in question. Please refer to the FEMA website (www.fema.gov) for information on how to obtain copies of this modeling.
Approximate models were created for use in delineating Zone A floodplains on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. These models are created based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards for Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). As the name implies, these models are not detailed hydraulic studies, and were created to determine the limits of Zone A floodplains on the FIRMs. Limitations of these models are:
- models do not include survey data and structures,
- models are based on a Digital Elevation Model certified to 10 foot contour accuracy,
- and models use USGS regression equation peak discharges
Typically, these models would not be acceptable for use in a detailed study, or for the evaluation of a construction in a floodway application. Proposed use of these models for regulatory purposes should be discussed with Division of Water staff before any models are submitted for approval.
HYDRO models are models for computing peak discharges for a watershed. For discharges to be used in hydraulic modeling, please refer to the process described in Chapter 7 of the General Guidelines for the Hydrologic-Hydraulic Assessment of Floodplains in Indiana.
What kind of models are available?
back to topHEC-RAS is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program for performing one-dimensional hydraulic calculations, this is the standard program used by the Division of Water for these purposes. You can find information on HEC-RAS (including legacy versions) at http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-ras.
HEC-2 is the predecessor to HEC-RAS, a large amount of legacy data for HEC-2 exists. Information on the program can be found at http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/legacysoftware/hec2/hec2.htm. A guide developed by the Division of Water regarding use of HEC-2 data is at http://www.in.gov/dnr/water/files/HEC-2_Troubleshooting_Guide.pdf.
ICPR information can be found at http://www.streamnologies.com/products/icpr/icpr.htm
XPSWMM information can be found at http://www.xpsoftware.com/products/xpswmm/
WSPRO / WSP2 / E431 are legacy modeling programs previously maintained by the FWHA (WSPRO), NRCS (WSP2) and USGS (E431). All have been supplanted by HEC-RAS.
WSPRO: http://water.usgs.gov/software/WSPRO/
E431: http://water.usgs.gov/software/E431/
WSP2: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/null/?cid=stelprdb1042484
HY-8 was developed by FWHA for rating of highway culverts, information can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/hydraulics/software/hy8/
HEC-HMS is the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers program for performing hydrologic calculations, this is the standard program used by the Division of Water for these purposes. You can find information on HEC-HMS at http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/hec-hms/
HEC-1 is the legacy version of HEC-HMS. http://www.hec.usace.army.mil/software/legacysoftware/hec1/hec1.htm
TR20 / TR55 are programs developed by NRCS for performing hydrologic calculations. See http://www.nrcs.usda.gov
General Disclaimer
The Permit and FARA models gathered here are electronic copies of the input files to various modeling programs either submitted to or developed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water (IDNR) in the process of reviewing and approving projects or determining floodplain information. However, it is the user's responsibility to verify that the models obtained from this site match what has been approved in IDNR files. We strongly suggest that users of these models examine the respective FARA / Permit files at IDNR to assure that the downloaded files match the approved files. If changes are needed to the files obtained here to assure that they match, it is the user's responsibility to make these changes, not IDNR.
The FIS, LOMR, and Approximate models available on this website are, to the best of our knowledge, electronic copies of the input files to various modeling programs used to calculate the water surface profiles and floodway limits for the respective Flood Insurance Studies. However, the IDNR does not guarantee these models to be the legal models for FEMA purposes. It is the user's responsibility to confirm that these models are the effective models for the FIS in question. Please refer to the FEMA website (www.fema.gov) for information on how to obtain copies of this modeling.
All models are provided "as is" without any kind of guarantee as to their accuracy or applicability for a particular purpose. Even though every effort is made to provide accurate information, the user assumes all risks concerning the suitability and accuracy of the models downloaded from this web site. These models may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. The State of Indiana, Department of Natural Resources, and the Division of Water assumes no responsibility for and disclaims all liability for any such errors in the models.
The Division of Water may make changes to these models at any time and without notice. We strive to have this modeling resource as complete and accurate as possible; any errors found in these models can be reported to the Division by Email at water_inquiry@dnr.in.gov. Division of Water staff can only provide limited assistance in interpretation or guidance regarding these models. For more information regarding the modeling process and IDNR's requirements, we recommend you consult the document General Guidelines for the Hydrologic-Hydraulic Assessment of Floodplains in Indiana.
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