GRAPHICAL RATING CURVE DEVELOPMENT—Traditionally, stage-discharge rating curves have been drawn on graph paper by hand, then rating input points have been selected by inspection of the plotted curves and entered into rating tables. Hand-plotting of curves is time-consuming, and curves must be completely redrawn to accommodate any changes. Evaluation of the benefits of changing a scale offset, or using multiple offsets, can’t be easily accomplished (although the BARC program can be used outside of NWIS). A windows-compatible on-screen point-and-click rating program would make computation of SW records more efficient. Ideally, such a program would include both rectilinear and log-log segments, access the 9-207 file in ADAPS for measurement data, display error bars for measurements on screen, allow multiple scale offsets, allow manipulation of the curve shape with the mouse, and automatically store input points for the rating table.
SHIFT-ADJUSTED RATINGS FOR REAL-TIME STATIONS—NWS and other agencies use USGS stage-discharge ratings in conjunction with USGS real-time stage data for river forecast models. Because ratings change (shift) from time to time, the accuracy of these models can be affected by out-of-date ratings. Currently, ADAPS stores standard ratings, and shifts are applied during primary computations. The flexibility to create shift-adjusted ratings would allow USGS to provide updated ratings directly to NWS and other users.
ADCP DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT DATA—Many districts use acoustic Doppler current profilers to make discharge measurements at gaging stations. ADCPs generate much more data than a current-meter measurement, and currently there is no way to store ADCP measurement data in ADAPS.
STORAGE OF SW METADATA IN ADAPS—ADAPS presently has no way to store important data that document the reliability of streamflow data, including station descriptions and analyses, level surveys, and spin test logs.
HYDRA SCALING PROBLEMS—The HYDRA subroutine in ADAPS is a graphical program that was designed for estimating periods of missing or ice-affected record. The program works well for stage data, but has scaling problems when used for discharge data.
UNIT- AND DAILY-VALUES ENTRY AND EDITING SUBROUTINES—These programs work, but are cumbersome to use, requiring repetitive selection of keyboard input codes to shift from add, edit, and delete modes.
PERMANENT STORAGE OF DEFAULT SHIFT CURVES—For some stations, shift curves follow a predictable pattern. A default standard shift curve could be stored in ADAPS to reduce repetitive data for shifts.
ADDITIONAL INPUT POINTS FOR SHIFTS—Shift curves are currently limited to three input points. Although this is adequate for many shifts, some shifts could be better represented with more input points.
SEPARATE SUBROUTINES FOR DATUM VS. GAGE-HEIGHT CORRECTIONS—ADAPS has one subroutine to correct stage data before it is used to compute discharge. This subroutine is used for both datum corrections (changes in the elevation of the reference gage) and gage-height corrections (differences between the recording instrument and the reference gage). This works adequately for records computation, but can cause confusion, especially if both types of corrections are needed for the same time period. Separation into two subroutines, one for datum corrections and one for gage-height corrections, would eliminate the confusion.
STATUS OF WRD SEDIMENT DATA SOFTWARE—Districts use two OSW-supported computer programs to process and compute sediment records. One program is a laboratory data input program for concentration analyses, the other is a records-computation program used to produce annual records of sediment discharge at gaging stations. Both of these programs presently have actual or potential limitations.
SLEDS is the laboratory data-input program that allows direct electronic entry of data from laboratory balances as concentration analyses are performed. This program has been working well in most Districts where it is used, but not others, reasons for this are not clear. SLEDS is the only OSW authorized sediment laboratory software.
SEDCALC was used (1989-99) to compute daily values of sediment discharge using unit-values SW data stored in ADAPS and sediment concentrations input using SLEDS or from the keyboard. SEDCALC was not Y2K compliant, but a patch was installed at the last minute. A successor program, CONCALC, was intended as a replacement, but now OSW is planning to support GCLASS, a windows-compatible program. GCLASS has not been released, so at present Districts with sediment programs are getting by with the Y2K patched version of SEDCALC.