GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.

x Version Overview Manual

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version

Overview Manual
By
Haoyi Finix Xiong, M.S. Student, The University at Buffalo
Jonathan Goergen, Ph.D. Student, The University of Iowa
Misa Yasumiishi, M.S. Student, The University at Buffalo
and
Dr. Chris S. Renschler, Ph.D.
Department of Geography
The State University of New York at Buffalo

A research project at the

Landscape-based Environmental System Analysis & Modeling (LESAM) Laboratory
at the Department of Geography /
National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA)
University at Buffalo - The State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo, New York

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Copyright (C) 2014 LESAM Research Group, University at Buffalo. All rights reserved.
Revision Date: 01/31/2014.
Please ALWAYS review the GeoWEPP derived model input before running the WEPP model.
All information, computer software, and database containing this GeoWEPP release are believed
to be accurate and reliable. The Landscape-based Environmental System Analysis Modeling
(LESAM) Laboratory of Department of Geography at the University at Buffalo, The State
University of New York, accepts no liability or responsibility of any kind to any user, other
person, or entity as a result of installation or operation of this software. GeoWEPP is provided
'AS IS', and you, the user, who assumes all risks, when using GeoWEPP.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding GeoWEPP, visit the following
web site: http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/contact/ and fill out the inquiry form, or send email to:
support@geowepp.org.
The GeoWEPP ArcGIS 10.1 Development Team
Haoyi Finix Xiong, University at Buffalo
Jonathan Goergen, University of Iowa
Misa Yasumiishi, University at Buffalo
Dr. Chris S. Renschler, University at Buffalo
For questions and suggestions for this manual, please contact: support@geowepp.org

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Table of Contents
1. System Requirements.................................................................................................................. 4
2. GeoWEPP Installation ................................................................................................................ 4
3. GeoWEPP Input Data Requirements .......................................................................................... 4
4. Launching GeoWEPP ................................................................................................................. 6
5. GeoWEPP Basics ...................................................................................................................... 10
Folder Structure .................................................................................................................................... 10
Core Functions ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Toolbar ................................................................................................................................................. 11

6. GeoWEPP Steps........................................................................................................................ 12
7. Product Note and Known Issues ............................................................................................... 20
Reference ...................................................................................................................................... 22

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

1. System Requirements

Windows Operation System

ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop. ArcGIS 10.1 doesn't work with ArcGIS's previous versions or
ArcGIS 10.2 or higher.
ArcGIS Spatial Analysis Extension
Spatial Analysis Extension
Most Recent version of WEPP (for application information and download go to
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=10621)
.NET Framework
250 MB hard disk space. A larger disk space will be required if example sets are used
(approximately 50MB for each set).

2. GeoWEPP Installation
GeoWEPP applications can be downloaded at https://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/versions/.
Please fill out the password request form of the version you wish to install.
Once you have downloaded an application zip file, unzip the zip file. The zip file can
then be downloaded and installed to the local hard drive or external drive such as the flash drive.
Important Note: The location you provide should not contain any spaces in the folder names.
For Example, you shouldnt use C:\My GeoWEPP, but you should use C:\MyGeoWEPP or
C:\My_GeoWEPP. This also means you can not save the GeoWEPP folder on to your desktop,
since its location is actually C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop. It is also
recommended that you limit the folder name to no more than 13 characters. Both of these have to
do with the way pathways were used and created in older operating systems and in older versions
of ArcGIS.

3. GeoWEPP Input Data Requirements

Minimum Requirement Files

Elevation data file in ASCII format (.asc) of the area.

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Soil data files and landcover data files can be added for precise modeling. For details
about how to create the data sets, please refer to GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 9.x Full Version
Manual (http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/training/arcgis-9-x/documentation/)

Important Note:
1. Raster files of DEM, soil and landcover have to be ASCII format (.asc). You can convert
raster files to ASCII format using the ArcGIS [Raster to ASCII] tool.
2. For a DEM ASCII file: All the elevation values in the DEM should be between 1.0 to
9999.0 meters
3. There must be NO scientific expression in the ASCII files.
4. There should be NO holes in ASCII files, which means that NoData values can be
allowed inside the boundary of study area.
5. Values having a comma are not allowed. For example, "1,234" is not allowed but "1234"
is permitted.
6. UTM easting of DEM (xllcorner) should be positive value no more than 1,000,000
meters. UTM northing of DEM (yllcorner) should be no more than 10,000,000 meters.

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

4. Launching GeoWEPP
Before launching:

Please make sure that the Spatial Analysis extension is enabled on ArcGIS.

Please check the UTM zone of the area. You will be prompted to enter the number
later.

We recommend that you read the "Product Notes and Known Issues" section in this
document before starting GeoWEPP.

1. Go to the folder you unzipped GeoWEPP zip file.

2. Double click 'GeoWEPP.esriAddIn' BEFORE opening GeoWEPP application. This will
add the GeoWEPP toolbar to ArcGIS.
Note: If you don't see the GeoWEPP tool bar when ArcGIS is opened later, go to the top
menu > Customize> Toolsbars and turn on [GeoWEPP].
3. Double click 'Launch GeoWEPP.exe' to launch GeoWEPP.
4. Start up screen will now appear.

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Figure 1: Start up screen

[Use Example GIS Data button]

GeoWEPP contains four example data sets. To familiarize yourself with GeoWEPP, you can
choose among the examples and run the processes.
[Use your own GIS ASCII Data]
This screen allows you to upload your own data files. To upload files, click on each file path
box. Windows Explorer will appear.

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

<Input file locations and samples>

2 - DEM ASCII file

3 - Soil ASCII file

4 - Landcover ASCII file

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

5 - Soil description text file

*Please refer to GeoWEPP for
ArcGIS 9.x Full Version Manual
about how to create these text files

6 - Soil database text file

7 - Landcover description text file

8 - Landcover database text file

GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

[Load Previously Saved Project]

Once a project is created on GeoWEPP, the project is saved as .mxd file. The next time you
can click this button and select the .mxd file in the project folder. You won't need to upload
the source data files again.
[Exit GeoWEPP]
Closes GeoWEPP.

5. GeoWEPP Basics
Folder Structure
Please review the folder structure to be familiarized with GeoWEPP.
Example_data folder contains example project data sets.
PRISM_Files folder contains PRISM climate data files.
Projects folder contains projects you created.
- Generated raster files are stored in Projects > RasterDataset
subfolder.
- WEPP reports are stored in Projects > Reports subfolder.
RequiredFiles folder contains necessary files to run GeoWPP.
WEPP folder contains soil and land management data, climate
data generated by cligen, slope data, etc. in Data sub folder.

Core Functions
GeoWEPP combines three different functions to calculate soil erosion.
1. TOPAZ (Topographic Parameterization) for topographic evaluation, drainage
identification, watershed identification, watershed segmentation, and subcatchment
parameterization
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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

2. PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) for editing

existing climate data.
3. WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) for soil erosion calculation

Toolbar

Figure 2: GeoWEPP 10.1 toolbar

<TOPAZ part>
1 - Defines CSA (Critical Source Area) and MSCL (Minimum Source Channel Length) to
delineate streams
2 - Specifies the outlet point of watershed
<PRISM part>
3 - Opens PRISM to select/edit existing climate data
<WEPP part>
4 - Obtains the erosion pattern in the watershed
5 - Displays reports
6 - Saves GeoWEPP project
7 - Changes tolerable value of erosion
8 - Shows the information of hillslope in the watershed area (click on hillslope)
9 - Changes the associated landuse and soil type
10 - Returns WEPP after changing hillslope parameter
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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

11 - Loads a single hillslope on WEPP

12 - Goes to WEPP
13 - Saves project and exit

6. GeoWEPP Steps

1.

Enter Critical Source Area (CSA) and Minimum Source Channel Length (MSCL).

Figure 3: CSA, MSCL setting window. Default values are CSA - 5, MSCL - 100.

Figure 4: Channels will be delineated

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

2.

Click on a pixel of an outlet point.

Note: You are not able to select a source cell of a channel. It will return an error.

Figure 5: When you asked UTM Zone, enter UTM Zone number for the area

Figure 6: Subcatchments are delineated

3.

Select and/or edit the existing climate data.

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Figure 7: Climate file selection window

Figure 8: PRISM screen. You can edit the existing climate parameters.

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

4.

Enter parameters to obtain erosion patterns in the watershed.

Figure 9: WEPP will ask cligen climate station. Select one.

Figure 10: Successful message appears

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Figure 11: WEPP Mangement and Soil Lookup window over delineated watersheds. You can edit Landuse, Soils,
Channels types by clicking on the line you want to change.

Figure 12: Review the setting. Change setting, including Number of Years, and check Return Periods if necessary.

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Figure 13: WEPP onsite and offsite output

5.

Displays reports.

Figure 14: Select reports you want to display

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Figure 15: Reports are displayed in text format

6.

Save your GeoWEPP project.

7.

Change tolerable value of erosion, if necessary.

8.

Shows the information of hillslope in the watershed area (click on hillslope).

9.

Change the associated landuse and soil type, if necessary.

10.

Returns to WEPP after changing hillslope parameter

11.

Click on a hillslope to run WEPP on a single hill slope. Click [OK] on message
pop-ups. WEPP window appears.
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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

12.

Click this button when you want to open a new blank WEPP project.

13.

Save the project and exit.

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

7. Product Note and Known Issues

Note:
1) Common errors are associated with an original raster file. It is recommended that you
eliminate NoData cells.
2) A standard area for GeoWEPP is about 5 hectors. When you process a large area, please
consider decreasing the DEM resolution such as from 10m to 30m, 30m to 50m, etc.
3) If a user does not upload soil or landover ASCII files, a default file (uniform) will be
generated.
4) If a user does not upload soil or landcover ASCII files, a description file will be created with
an entry for each unique value. All landcover and soil values will be set to a default value if the
user doesn't offer a database file. Users may change these settings when modeling a
subcatchment area.
5) If users are familiar with how to create a description and database file for GeoWEPP ArcGIS
9.x version, they may create them by referring to the ArcGIS 9.x manual.
6) Please use the [Load Previous Saved Project] button to open your .mxd file if you move your
whole GeoWEPP folder to a different place to make sure some directory files inside are correct.
7) Please do not use any scientific notations to represent pixel elevation values in a raster file. All
values in scientific notation will be treated as NoData Value.
Known Issues:
1) Occasionally an ArcMap error occurs when GeoWEPP tries to delete a layer. When this
occurs, save and exit the project and then re-open.
2) PRISM may report an error the first time you attempt to use it during a project. Re-running
PRISM often fixes the problem.
3) A large DEM files (over 200,000 cells) may fail to process. If GeoWEPP freezes while
running DEDNM.exe, try resampling your input raster.
4) Occasionally when a project opens on ArcMap for the first time the layers don't appear
although the layer names appear in the left Table of Contents pane. When this happens, please
save the project, close ArcMap, and re-open the project. The layers should appear.
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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

8. Support
Email: support@geowepp.org
For detailed instructions about GeoWEPP functions and how to set up data sets:
http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/training/arcgis-9-x/documentation/
For general inquires: http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/contact/
For bug report: http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/contact/bug-report/
For suggestions: http://geowepp.geog.buffalo.edu/contact/suggestions/

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GeoWEPP for ArcGIS 10.x Version Overview Manual

Reference
Cligen
http://hydrolab.arsusda.gov/nicks/nicks.htm
Glossary of Hydrologic Terms
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hod/SHManual/SHMan014_glossary.htm
PRISM
http://oldprism.nacse.org/
PRISM Generator
http://prism.oregonstate.edu/
http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/fswepp/rc/rockclim.pl
Soil Series Description
https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/osdquery.aspx
TOPAZ
http://homepage.usask.ca/~lwm885/topaz/overview.html
Web Soil Survey
http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm
WEPP
http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=10621

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