Results vs Time Mapping Tools

The plugin provides a comprehensive set of mapping tools for visualizing and analyzing simulation results. These tools allow users to create, display, and export various types of maps representing hydraulic parameters, sediment or tailings concentrations, time of arrival or to depth, hazard assessments, economic evaluations.

Users have the following options available in the mapping tool menu:

The mapping tools in the plugin enable users to visualize simulation results in both cell-based and raster formats. The plugin provides specialized tools for different types of analyses, including:

• Time-dependent maps for various hydraulic parameters (Results vs Time Maps)

• Maximum value maps showing peak conditions (Maximum Result Maps)

• Hazard intensity maps for risk assessment (Hazard Intensity Maps)

• Time-depth maps for flood progression analysis (Time-to-Depth Maps)

• Element concentration or fractions maps for pollutant/sediment/mud transport (Element Concentration Maps)

• Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood (HEEF) maps (Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map)

Results vs Time Maps

The Results vs Time Maps tool allows users to create and visualize time-dependent maps of various hydraulic parameters from model simulations.

Dialog Window

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:results_vs_time_maps_controls label="tab:results_vs_time_maps_controls"}

Output File List	text field	Displays the path to the simulation results file (read-only).
Maps	list view	Displays available map types that can be selected for visualization, such as Velocity Field, Velocity Magnitude, WSE, Depth, etc.
Output Times	list view	Displays available simulation output times that can be selected for visualization.
Arrow Buttons (→, ←)	buttons	Transfer selected maps and times to/from the Output Maps list.
Output Maps	list view	Shows the maps that will be created when OK is clicked.
Cell Maps	checkbox	Enables cell-based (vector polygon) map output.
Raster Maps	checkbox	Enables raster map output.
Resolution for raster map	text field	Sets the resolution for raster interpolation, in projected units. Only enabled when \"Raster Maps\" is checked.
Vector Skip Frequency	spinner	Sets the number of vectors to skip between each vector in vector-type maps, controlling display density.
OK	button	Creates the selected maps and adds them to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

Results vs Time Map Types

The Results vs Time Maps tool can generate the following maps:

Velocity	m/s or ft/s	Vector field showing flow velocity direction and magnitude with arrows.
Velocity Magnitude	m/s or ft/s	Scalar field showing the magnitude of flow velocity.
WSE	m or ft	Water surface elevation at each computational cell.
Depth	m or ft	Water depth at each computational cell.
Initial Bed Elevations	m or ft	Initial bed elevation at each computational cell (available when sediment transport module is active).
Bed Elevations	m or ft	Current bed elevation at each computational cell (available when sediment transport module is active).
Delta Bed Elevations	m or ft	Change in bed elevation from initial conditions (available when sediment transport module is active).
Froude Number	dimensionless	Local Froude number at each computational cell.
Q Sediments Field	m³/s or ft³/s per unit width	Creates vector field from sediment transport components in columns 9-11, with arrows showing direction and relative magnitude. Available only with sediment transport module.
Q Sediments Magnitude	m³/s or ft³/s per unit width	Extracts sediment transport magnitude from column 11, applies Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Available only with sediment transport module.
Bed Shear	Pa or lbf/ft²	Bed shear stress at each computational cell (available when sediment transport module is active).
Rain	mm/hr or in/hr	Rainfall intensity at each computational cell (available when rainfall module is active).
Infiltration	mm/hr or in/hr	Infiltration rate at each computational cell (available when infiltration module is active).
Manning N	s\(\cdot\)m\(^{-1/3}\) or s\(\cdot\)ft\(^{-1/3}\)	Manning's roughness coefficient at each computational cell.
DT Limiting Times	dimensionless	Time step limiting factors at each computational cell.

Workflow

To generate maps using the Results vs Time Maps tool, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a simulation and have output files available.

2. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on \"Results vs Time Maps\"

   .

1. In the dialog that appears, the current scenario directory should be automatically selected. If not, browse to the appropriate directory containing your simulation results.

2. Select one or more map types from the list by checking the corresponding map names:

1. Select the output times you want to visualize. Hold down the Control key to select multiple times.

1. Transfer the selected maps and times to the Output Maps list by clicking the right arrow button .

2. If you wish to remove a map or time from the Output Maps list, select it and click the left arrow button .

3. Choose the output format: Check Cell Maps to create polygon-based maps or check Raster Maps to create grid-based maps with interpolation (or both!).

1. If Raster Maps is selected, specify the raster resolution in the projected units (ft or m).

1. If a vector map such as Velocity Field is selected, you can specify the Vector Skip Frequency to control the density of the vectors.

1. Click \"OK\" to generate the maps.

2. The generated maps will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

3. You can now manipulate these layers like any other QGIS layer, adjusting styling, transparency, etc.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Results	A completed simulation with output files in the project's scenario directory.
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:

Technical Information

The following table provides technical details on how each map type is processed and visualized. Legend values are displayed in metric units (m, m/s, m\(^2\)/s, etc.) when the project is in metric mode, and English units (ft, ft/s, ft\(^2\)/s, etc.) when in English mode. The unit system is automatically detected based on the QGIS project settings.

Velocity Field	Creates vector field visualization from velocity components (\(v_x\), \(v_y\)) in columns 0-1, with arrow size scaled by \(v_{mag} = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2}\). Applies vector skip frequency for density control and uses graduated color ramp from blue to red based on magnitude.
Velocity Magnitude	Extracts scalar velocity magnitude (m/s or ft/s) from column 2, applies Quantile classification with 9 classes and blue-to-red color ramp. Excludes values below 0.01 m/s (or ft/s).
WSE (Water Surface Elevation)	Reads WSE values (m or ft) from column 3, applies Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Handles no-data values (-9999.0) by using minimum WSE as lower bound.
Depth	Processes depth values (m or ft) from column 4 using Equal Interval classification with 9 classes and blue color ramp. Excludes depths below 0.01 m (or ft).
Initial Bed Elevations	Reads values (m or ft) from column 5, applies Equal Interval classification with 8 classes and specialized topographic color ramp. Handles no-data values (-9999.0) by excluding them.
Bed Elevations	Processes current bed elevation (m or ft) from column 6 using Equal Interval classification with 8 classes and topographic color ramp. Available only with sediment transport module.
Delta Bed Elevations	Calculates bed elevation changes (m or ft) from column 7, uses Equal Interval classification with 8 classes and diverging color ramp centered on zero. Available only with sediment transport module.
Froude Number	Processes Froude numbers from column 8 using Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Color ramp highlights subcritical (\(Fr < 1\)) and supercritical (\(Fr > 1\)) flow regions.
Q Sediments Field	Creates vector field from sediment transport components in columns 9-11, with arrows showing direction and relative magnitude. Vector components (vx, vy) are in sediment transport units (m³/s or ft³/s per unit width), and the magnitude (vm) is in column 11. Available only with sediment transport module.
Q Sediments Magnitude	Extracts sediment transport magnitude (m³/s or ft³/s per unit width) from column 11, applies Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Available only with sediment transport module.
Bed Shear	Processes bed shear stress (N/m² or lb/ft²) from column 12 using Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Available only with sediment transport module.
Rain	Reads rainfall intensity (mm/hr or in/hr) from column 13, applies Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Available only with rainfall module.
Infiltration	Processes infiltration rates (mm/hr or in/hr) from column 14 using Equal Interval classification with 9 classes. Available only with infiltration module.
Manning N	Displays Manning's roughness coefficient from column 15 using Equal Interval classification with 9 classes to show spatial distribution of roughness values.
DT Limiting Times	Shows time step limiting factors from column 16 using Equal Interval classification with 5 classes. Vector output only, excludes zero values.

Maximum Result Maps

The Maximum Result Maps tool generates maps showing the maximum values reached during a simulation for various hydraulic parameters.

Dialog Window

You can reach this dialog by clicking on the Maximum Result Maps button in the Results vs Time Maps tool:

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:max_value_cell_controls label="tab:max_value_cell_controls"}

Maximum Value File	text field	Displays the path to the simulation results file (read-only).
Map Type List	checkbox list	List of available maximum value map types that can be selected for visualization.
Cell Maps	checkbox	Enables cell-based (vector polygon) map output. Checked by default.
Raster Maps	checkbox	Enables raster map output.
Resolution for raster map	text field	Sets the resolution for raster interpolation, in projected units. Only enabled when \"Raster Maps\" is checked. Default value is 10.
OK	button	Creates the selected maximum value maps and adds them to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

Maximum Value Map Types

The Maximum Result Maps tool can generate maximum value maps for the following parameters:

Velocity Magnitude	m/s or ft/s	Maximum flow velocity magnitude reached at each location during the simulation.
Depth	m or ft	Maximum water depth reached at each location during the simulation.
Maximum Flood Area	n/a	Polygon outlining the maximum extent of flooding throughout the simulation.
WSE (Water Surface Elevation)	m or ft	Maximum water surface elevation reached at each location during the simulation.
Depth x Velocity	m²/s or ft²/s	Maximum product of depth and velocity (DV) reached at each location, used for hazard assessment.
Maximum Shear Stress	N/m² or lbf/ft²	Maximum bed shear stress reached at each location during the simulation (available when sediment transport module is active).
Impact Force	N/m² or lbf/ft²	Maximum impact force reached at each location, calculated from flow momentum and density.
DT Limiting Times	dimensionless	Time step limiting factors at each computational cell, showing areas controlling simulation stability.
Maximum Bed Elevation	m or ft	Maximum bed elevation reached at each location during the simulation (available when sediment transport module is active).
Minimum Bed Elevation	m or ft	Minimum bed elevation reached at each location during the simulation (available when sediment transport module is active).
Maximum Erosion Depth	m or ft	Maximum erosion depth reached at each location during the simulation (available when sediment transport module is active).
Maximum Deposition Depth	m or ft	Maximum deposition depth reached at each location during the simulation (available when sediment transport module is active).

Workflow

To generate maps using the Maximum Result Maps tool, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a model simulation with the Output maximum files option enabled and have output files available, the Output maximum files option is available in the Control Data tab of the Hydronia Data Input Program.

1. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on Maximum Result Maps. .

1. In the dialog that appears, the current scenario directory should be automatically selected. If not, browse to the appropriate directory containing your simulation results.

2. Select one or more map types from the list by checking the corresponding checkboxes:

1. Choose the output format:

   • Check Cell Maps to create polygon-based maps (triangular mesh).

   • Check Raster Maps to create grid-based maps with interpolation.

   • If Raster Maps is selected, specify the raster resolution in project units (ft or m).

1. Click \"OK\" to generate the map(s).

2. The generated map(s) will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

The map(s) will show maximum values reached during the entire simulation period, regardless of when those maximum values occurred.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Results	A completed model simulation with the Output maximum files option enabled and have output files available, the Output maximum files option is available in the Control Data tab of the Hydronia Data Input Program.
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:

Technical Information

The following table provides technical details on how each map type is processed and visualized:

Velocity Magnitude	The tool scans all time steps in the cell_*_max.textout files and identifies the maximum velocity magnitude value for each computational cell. Graduated symbology is applied using the Quantile classification method with a color ramp from blue (low) to red (high). Values below 0.01 m/s are excluded.
Depth	The tool analyzes all time steps and extracts the maximum water depth value for each computational cell. Equal Interval classification is used for graduated symbology, providing a consistent color scale from light blue (shallow) to dark blue (deep). Values below 0.01 m are excluded.
Maximum Flood Area	Creates a polygon by dissolving all cells where maximum depth exceeds a threshold value (typically 0.01 m). The total flooded area and volume are calculated and stored as polygon attributes.
WSE (Water Surface Elevation)	Maximum water surface elevation is determined for each cell. Equal Interval classification is used with a specialized color ramp. No-data values (-9999.0) are handled by using the minimum valid WSE as the lower bound.
Depth x Velocity	Maximum product of depth and velocity (DV) is calculated for each cell. Equal Interval classification is used with a color ramp highlighting hazard levels based on standard thresholds.
Maximum Shear Stress	Maximum bed shear stress is extracted from sediment transport calculations. Equal Interval classification is used with a color ramp from blue (low) to red (high). Only available with sediment transport module.
Impact Force	Maximum impact force is calculated from flow momentum and density. Equal Interval classification is used with a color ramp highlighting areas of significant impact potential.
DT Limiting Times	Shows time step limiting factors using 5-class Equal Interval classification. Vector output only, with zero values excluded. Used to identify areas controlling simulation stability.
Maximum Bed Elevation	Maximum bed elevation is tracked during sediment transport simulations. Equal Interval classification with topographic color ramp. Only available with sediment transport module.
Minimum Bed Elevation	Minimum bed elevation is tracked during sediment transport simulations. Equal Interval classification with topographic color ramp. Only available with sediment transport module.
Maximum Erosion Depth	Maximum erosion depth is calculated from bed elevation changes. Equal Interval classification with specialized color ramp. Only available with sediment transport module.
Maximum Deposition Depth	Maximum deposition depth is calculated from bed elevation changes. Equal Interval classification with specialized color ramp. Only available with sediment transport module.

Time-to-Depth Maps

The Time-to-Depth Maps tool creates maps that analyze the temporal aspects of flooding by correlating water depths with specific times during a simulation. This tool is particularly useful for understanding flood dynamics, such as inundation timing, duration of flooding, and wave propagation. Users can generate maps showing when specific water depths are reached, how long areas remain underwater, and when flood waves first arrive at different locations.

Dialog Window

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:time_depth_controls label="tab:time_depth_controls"}

Project File	text field	Displays the path to the simulation results file (read-only).
Map Type List	checkbox list	List of available time-to-depth map types that can be selected.
Cells Maps	checkbox	Enables vector (cell-based) map output.
Raster Maps	checkbox	Enables raster map output.
Resolution for raster map	textbox	Sets the resolution for raster interpolation, in meters. Only enabled when Raster Maps is checked.
OK	button	Creates the selected time-to-depth maps and adds them to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

Time-Depth Analysis Maps

The Time-to-Depth Maps tool supports the following map types:

Time to 1 ft (0.30 m)	hours	Shows the time when water depth first reaches 1 ft (0.30 m) at each location.
Time to 2 ft (0.50 m)	hours	Shows the time when water depth first reaches 2 ft (0.50 m) at each location.
Time to 3 ft (1 m)	hours	Shows the time when water depth first reaches 3 ft (1 m) at each location.
Time to maximum depth	hours	Shows the time when water depth reaches its maximum value at each location.
Total inundated time with depths \(>=\) 4 in (0.1 m)	hours	Shows the total duration for which water depth exceeds 4 in (0.1 m) at each location.
Frontal wave arrival time	hours	Shows the time when water first arrives at each location, typically using a very small depth threshold.

Workflow

To generate time-to-depth maps, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a RiverFlow2D simulation and have output files available.

2. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on Time-to-Depth Maps .

1. In the dialog that appears, the current scneario directory and project file information should be automatically populated.

2. Select one or more map types from the list by checking the corresponding checkboxes:

   • Time to 1 ft (0.30 m) - Shows when water depth first reaches 1 ft/0.30 m

   • Time to 2 ft (0.50 m) - Shows when water depth first reaches 2 ft/0.50 m

   • Time to 3 ft (1 m) - Shows when water depth first reaches 3 ft/1 m

   • Time to maximum depth - Shows when maximum water depth occurs

   • Total inundated time with depths \(>=\) 4 in (0.1 m) - Shows duration above threshold

   • Frontal wave arrival time - Shows when water first arrives

3. Choose the output format:

   • Check \"Cells Maps\" to create polygon-based maps (cell-centered).

   • Check \"Raster Maps\" to create grid-based maps with interpolation.

   • If \"Raster Maps\" is selected, specify the raster resolution in meters.

1. Click \"OK\" to generate the selected time-to-depth maps.

2. The generated maps will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

3. The maps will display time values (in hours) based on the selected map types.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Results	A completed simulation with output files in the project's scenario directory.
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:

Technical Information

The Time-to-Depth Maps tool processes time-series data from model simulations and generates maps based on the following calculations:

Time to 1 ft (0.30 m)	For each cell, the algorithm analyzes the time series of water depths and identifies the first time step where \(depth \geq 0.30\) m (or 1 ft). The formula is: \(t_{0.30m} = min(t)\) where \(depth(t) \geq 0.30\) m. If the threshold is never reached, the cell is excluded from the map.
Time to 2 ft (0.50 m)	For each cell, the algorithm analyzes the time series of water depths and identifies the first time step where \(depth \geq 0.50\) m (or 2 ft). The formula is: \(t_{0.50m} = min(t)\) where \(depth(t) \geq 0.50\) m. If the threshold is never reached, the cell is excluded from the map.
Time to 3 ft (1 m)	For each cell, the algorithm analyzes the time series of water depths and identifies the first time step where \(depth \geq 1.0\) m (or 3 ft). The formula is: \(t_{1.0m} = min(t)\) where \(depth(t) \geq 1.0\) m. If the threshold is never reached, the cell is excluded from the map.
Time to maximum depth	For each cell, the algorithm finds the time step at which the maximum water depth occurs during the entire simulation. The formula is: \(t_{max} = t\) where \(depth(t) = max(depth)\) for all time steps.
Total inundated time with depths \(>= 4\) in (0.1 m)	For each cell, the algorithm calculates the cumulative time for which the water depth exceeds 0.1 m (or 4 in). The formula is: \(t_{total} = \sum \Delta t\) for all time steps where \(depth(t) \geq 0.1\) m.
Frontal wave arrival time	For each cell, the algorithm identifies the earliest time step at which water is present (typically using a very small depth threshold). The formula is: \(t_{arrival} = min(t)\) where \(depth(t) > 0\) (or some small threshold).

Hazard Intensity Maps

The Hazard Intensity Maps tool allows users to create maps that classify flood hazards based on various international standards for assessing flood risk to people, vehicles, and structures.

Dialog Window

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:hazard_intensity_controls label="tab:hazard_intensity_controls"}

Cells Hazard File	file browser	Displays the directory containing simulation results.
Map Type List	checkbox list	Selects the hazard classification method to use (DEFRA, Australian, FEMA, Swiss, or Russo).
Cell Maps	checkbox	Enables vector (cell-based) map output.
Raster Maps	checkbox	Enables raster map output.
Resolution (m)	textbox	Sets the resolution for raster interpolation, in meters.
OK	button	Creates the hazard intensity map and adds it to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

Hazard Classification Methods

The Hazard Intensity Maps tool supports several standard hazard classification methods:

USBR Homes	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for residential homes, focused on structural damage risk.
USBR Passenger Vehicles	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for vehicle safety during flooding events.
USBR Mobile Homes	US Bureau of Reclamation classification specific to mobile/manufactured homes.
USBR Adults	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for adult human safety during flooding.
USBR Children	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for child safety during flooding, with more conservative thresholds.
Swiss Method for Water Flooding	Swiss federal classification system for clear water flood hazards, focusing on structural impacts.
Swiss Method for Debris Flow	Modified Swiss classification adjusted for the greater destructive potential of debris flows.
Austrian Method for River Flooding	Austrian classification method for riverine flooding scenarios.
Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=100 yrs	Austrian classification for torrent flooding with 100-year return period.
Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=10 yrs	Austrian classification for torrent flooding with 10-year return period.
UK Method	UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) method based on depth and velocity combinations.
Custom Flood Hazard	User-defined classification method for specialized flood hazard assessment.
Custom Debris Flow Hazard	User-defined classification method for specialized debris flow hazard assessment.
Australia Flood Hazard	Australian hazard classification method, emphasizing velocity as a significant factor.
Equivalent Clear Water Hazard Map (ECWHM)	Specialized map for mud/debris flows that converts the higher hazard of mud into an equivalent clear water hazard.

Each hazard category is visually represented with a distinct color coding scheme appropriate to the selected method, typically ranging from low hazard (green/blue) to extreme hazard (red).

Workflow

To generate hazard intensity maps, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a model simulation with the Output hazard files option enabled and have output files available, the Output hazard files option is available in the Control Data tab of the Hydronia Data Input Program.

1. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on Hazard Intensity Maps

   .

1. In the dialog that appears, the current scenario directory should be automatically selected. If not, browse to the appropriate directory containing your simulation results.

2. Select one or more hazard classification methods from the list by checking the corresponding checkboxes:

   • USBR Homes - Classification for residential structural damage risk

   • USBR Passenger Vehicles - Classification for vehicle safety

   • USBR Mobile Homes - Classification for mobile/manufactured homes

   • USBR Adults - Classification for adult human safety

   • USBR Children - Classification for child safety with conservative thresholds

   • Swiss Method for Water Flooding - Swiss classification for clear water hazards

   • Swiss Method for Debris Flow - Swiss classification adapted for debris flows

   • Austrian Method for River Flooding - Austrian method for riverine flooding

   • Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=100 yrs - For torrent flooding with 100-year return period

   • Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=10 yrs - For torrent flooding with 10-year return period

   • UK Method - DEFRA method based on depth and velocity combinations

   • Custom Flood Hazard - User-defined method for specialized flood assessments

   • Custom Debris Flow Hazard - User-defined method for debris flow assessments

   • Australia Flood Hazard - Australian method emphasizing velocity factors

   • Equivalent Clear Water Hazard Map (ECWHM) - For mud/debris flow conversions

3. Choose the output format:

   • Check Cell Maps to create polygon-based maps (triangular mesh).

   • Check Raster Maps to create grid-based maps with interpolation.

   • If Raster Maps is selected, specify the raster resolution in meters (ft or m).

1. Click \"OK\" to generate the hazard intensity map.

2. The generated map will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

3. The map will display hazard categories based on the combination of maximum water depth and maximum velocity reached during the simulation period.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Results	A completed model simulation with the Output hazard files option enabled and have output files available, the Output hazard files option is available in the Control Data tab of the Hydronia Data Input Program.
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:

Technical Information

The tool processes data from *_cells_hazard.textout files, which contain precalculated hazard indicators for each computational cell in the model domain. The following table provides technical details about how each hazard classification method is calculated and visualized:

USBR Homes	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for residential homes. The algorithm applies the following criteria:
USBR Passenger Vehicles	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for vehicle safety during flooding:
USBR Mobile Homes	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for mobile/manufactured homes:
USBR Adults	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for adult human safety:
USBR Children	US Bureau of Reclamation classification for child safety with more conservative thresholds:
Swiss Method for Water Flooding	The Swiss method classifies hazards based on depth and velocity with a focus on potential damage to structures:
Swiss Method for Debris Flow	Similar to the water flooding method but adjusted for the greater destructive potential of debris flows:
Austrian Method for River Flooding	The Austrian method uses a simpler three-category classification focused on depth thresholds:
Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=100 yrs	Austrian classification for torrent flooding with 100-year return period:
Austrian Method for Torrents Tr=10 yrs	Austrian classification for torrent flooding with 10-year return period:
UK Method	UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) method categorizes hazards based on depth, velocity, and their product:
Custom Flood Hazard	User-defined classification method for specialized flood hazard assessment. Parameters are specified by the user in a custom configuration file with format:
Custom Debris Flow Hazard	User-defined classification method for specialized debris flow hazard assessment, with similar format to Custom Flood Hazard but with additional parameters:
Australia Flood Hazard	The Australian method emphasizes velocity in hazard determination with a six-category system:
Equivalent Clear Water Hazard Map (ECWHM)	Specialized map for mud/debris flows that converts higher hazard of mud into equivalent clear water hazard:

Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps

The Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps tool visualizes the transport and dispersion of tracers or pollutants in the simulation.

Dialog Window

You can reach this dialog by clicking on the Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps button in the Results vs Time Maps tool:

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:element_concentration_controls label="tab:element_concentration_controls"}

Scenario Directory	file browser	Selects the directory containing simulation results.
Map Type	list view	Selects the concentration maps to create, including: Concentration, Maximum Concentration, and Time of Maximum Concentration.
Output Times	list view	Displays available simulation output times that can be selected for visualization.
Arrow Buttons (→, ←)	buttons	Transfer selected maps and times to/from the Output Maps list.
Output Maps	list view	Shows the maps that will be created when OK is clicked.
Cell Maps	checkbox	Enables vector (cell-based) map output.
Raster Maps	checkbox	Enables raster map output.
Resolution for raster map	textbox	Sets the resolution for raster interpolation, in projected units.
OK	button	Creates the selected concentration maps and adds them to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

Concentrations Map Types

The Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps tool can generate different map types depending on the transport module being used:

Pollutant Transport (.solutes)	dimensionless (0-1)
Sediment Transport (.seds)
Mud/Debris Flow (.mud)

For each map type, users can generate time-dependent maps showing values at specific time steps, or create maximum value maps showing the peak values reached during the simulation. Legend units are displayed in metric or English units based on the QGIS project settings.

Workflow

To generate maps using the Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps tool, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a simulation with sediment/pollutant transport and have output files available.

2. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on \"Concentrations and Properties vs Time Maps\".

3. In the dialog that appears, the current scenario directory should be automatically selected. If not, browse to the appropriate directory containing your simulation results.

4. Select one or more map types to generate from the available options. The specific maps will depend on which transport module is active in your simulation:

   • For Pollutant Transport (.solutes):

     • Conc_1, Conc_2, etc. - Concentration values for each chemical species (mg/L or ppm)

   • For Sediment Transport (.seds):

     • Concentration_1, Concentration_2, etc. - Suspended sediment concentration (g/L or ppm)

     • Fraction_bed_1, Fraction_bed_2, etc. - Bed composition (dimensionless fraction, 0-1)

     • D50 - Median grain size distribution (mm or in)

   • For Mud/Debris Flow (.mud):

     • Conc_1, Conc_2, etc. - Individual fraction concentrations (g/L or ppm)

     • Conc_Total - Total concentration (g/L or ppm)

     • Density - Mixture density (kg/m³ or lb/ft³)

     • Viscosity - Mixture viscosity (Pa·s or lb·s/ft²)

     • YieldStress - Mixture yield stress (Pa or lb/ft²)

     • Hdep - Deposition depth (m or ft)

     • Fraction_bed_1, Fraction_bed_2, etc. - Composition of deposited material (dimensionless fraction, 0-1)

     • D50 - Median grain size of deposited material (mm or in)

5. Select the output times you want to visualize. Hold down the Control key to select multiple times.

6. Transfer the selected maps and times to the Output Maps list by clicking the right arrow button .

7. If you wish to remove a map or time from the Output Maps list, select it and click the left arrow button .

8. Choose the output format:

   • Check Cell Maps to create polygon-based maps (triangular mesh).

   • Check Raster Maps to create grid-based maps with interpolation.

   • If Raster Maps is selected, specify the raster resolution in meters (ft or m).

1. Click \"OK\" to generate the concentration maps.

2. The generated maps will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Type	A completed simulation with one of the following modules activated:
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:
Concentration Data	The simulation must have output data for at least one pollutant/sediment/mud concentrations or properties.

Technical Information

The following table provides technical details on how different file types are processed and how maps are generated:

File Type Detection	The tool examines the project's .dat file to determine which transport modules are active:
Pollutant Transport Maps	For .solutes files, the tool processes:
Sediment Transport Maps	For .seds files, the tool processes:
Mud/Debris Flow Maps	For .mud files, the tool processes:
Concentration Maps	For time-dependent concentration maps:
Maximum Concentration Maps	For maximum concentration maps:
Time of Maximum Concentration Maps	For time of maximum concentration maps:
Vector Cell Map Creation	For cell-based (vector) maps:
Raster Map Creation	For raster maps, the tool uses TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) interpolation:
Time Series Filtering	The .outfiles file is used to:
Multi-Element Selection	For models with multiple transported elements (pollutants or sediment fractions):

The technical implementation ensures that concentration and property maps accurately represent the numerical results from the transport simulation while providing visually informative representations. For simulations with multiple elements or fractions, the tool maintains the distinction between different constituents, enabling detailed analysis of transport and mixing processes. The option to generate both vector-based and raster-based outputs provides flexibility for different visualization and analysis needs.

Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map

The Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map tool integrates flood hazard information with exposure data to assess risk.

Dialog Window

HEEF Maps Dialog

Dialog Controls

[]{#tab:heef_maps_controls label="tab:heef_maps_controls"}

Scenario Directory	file browser	Selects the directory containing simulation results.
Exposure Layer	layer selector	Selects the vector layer containing exposure information (buildings, infrastructure, etc.).
Hazard Method	dropdown	Selects the hazard classification method to use.
HEEF Method	dropdown	Selects the HEEF risk assessment method to use.
OK	button	Creates the HEEF risk map and adds it to the QGIS project.
Cancel	button	Closes the dialog without making changes.

HEEF Map Types

The Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map tool can generate the following map types:

Damage Map	Shows estimated damage in monetary units (e.g., dollars) for each cell in the domain based on the selected damage assessment method.
Normalized Damage Map	Shows damage as a percentage of the total value of assets in each cell.
Maximum Depth Map	Displays the maximum water depth reached during the simulation. This is used in the damage calculations.
Land Use Map	Shows the land use categories assigned to each cell. Different damage functions are applied based on land use.

Workflow

To generate maps using the Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map tool, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have completed a RiverFlow2D simulation and have output files available.

2. From the Results vs Time Maps menu, click on \"Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map\".

3. In the dialog that appears:

   • Select the directory containing the simulation results.

   • Select a land use raster file from the dropdown menu (this should be a GeoTIFF file with land use categories).

   • Choose a damage assessment method from the dropdown menu (e.g., USACE, FEMA, HAZUS, custom).

   • Optionally, select a depth-damage function file if using a custom damage assessment method.

   • Select a currency for damage calculations (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP).

   • Enter property values for each land use category, or use the default values provided.

4. Choose the output format:

   • Check Cell Maps to create polygon-based maps (triangular mesh).

   • Check Raster Maps to create grid-based maps with interpolation.

   • If Raster Maps is selected, specify the resolution in meters (ft or m).

5. Click \"Calculate\" to perform the damage assessment calculation.

6. A progress bar will display the calculation status.

7. Once complete, select which map types to generate from the \"Select Maps\" list.

8. Click \"OK\" to generate the selected maps.

9. The generated maps will be added to the QGIS layer panel under the \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group.

10. A summary report with damage statistics will also be generated and can be accessed through the \"View Report\" button.

Requirements

Active Project	An active project must be loaded in QGIS.
Simulation Results	A completed simulation with output files in the project's scenario directory.
Required Data Files	The following files must be present in the scenario directory:
Land Use Data	A land use raster file (GeoTIFF format) must be available and properly aligned with the model domain. Each pixel value should correspond to a land use category code.
Depth-Damage Functions	Built-in depth-damage functions are available for standard assessment methods (USACE, FEMA, HAZUS). For custom methods, a CSV file with depth-damage relationships must be provided.
Property Values	Monetary values for each land use category must be specified. Default values are provided but may need adjustment based on local economic conditions.

Technical Information

The following table provides technical details on how damage assessment is performed and how maps are generated:

Data Integration Process	The tool integrates three key data types:
Building Exposure Layer	The tool requires a vector layer (typically called \"HEEF_Builds\") containing:
Vulnerability Functions	Vulnerability functions are stored in separate text files (with .txt extension) named after their function ID. Two types are supported:
Sampling Flood Parameters	The tool samples flood parameters (depth and velocity) for each building using:
1D Vulnerability Function Interpolation	For depth-only vulnerability functions (Type 1):
2D Vulnerability Function Interpolation	For depth-velocity vulnerability functions (Type 2):
Damage Calculation	Economic damage is calculated for each building using:
Output Map Generation	The tool creates a polygon shapefile (\"HEEF_Damage.shp\") with the following attributes:
Visualization	The damage map is styled using:
Data Management	The tool automatically:

The Hydro-Economic Evaluation of Flood Map tool provides a quantitative approach to flood risk assessment by translating hydraulic model results into economic impacts. The implementation uses specialized interpolation techniques to accurately represent the relationship between flood parameters and damage, accounting for the uncertainty inherent in vulnerability assessments. The combination of accurate hydraulic modeling with economic damage functions creates a powerful decision support tool for flood risk management and planning.

Common Features and Functionality

All the mapping tools in the plugin share common features and functionality:

Output Options

• Cell Maps: Creates polygon shapefiles representing simulation mesh cells, with attributes for the selected parameters.

• Raster Maps: Creates interpolated raster grids for smoother visualization, with user-defined resolution.

Raster Map Creation

For raster map creation, the Results vs Time Maps tool uses TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) interpolation to convert cell-centered values to a continuous surface at user-specified resolution. The resulting raster is clipped to the domain outline and no-data values (-9999.0) are properly handled and excluded. The tool ensures efficient processing of large datasets while maintaining numerical accuracy. The implementation supports both cell-based (vector) and interpolated (raster) visualizations, providing flexibility for different analysis needs.

Layer Management

• All generated maps are added to an \"OUTPUT_RESULTS\" group in the QGIS layer panel.

• Appropriate styling is automatically applied to each map type, including color ramps and classification methods.

• Vector layers with directional data (velocity, sediment transport) are displayed with arrow symbols showing direction and magnitude.

Export Capabilities

• Maps can be exported as shapefiles or raster files for further analysis or sharing.

• The Animation Tool (described in Chapter 4) can be used to create time-series animations of most results vs time based map types.

• Map outputs can be incorporated into QGIS print layouts for highly customizable report generation.