Troubleshooting Water Level Exceedance Errors in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver Models: A Guide for Earth Scientists

MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver are popular hydrological models used by geoscientists to simulate water flow and transport in river basins. However, when running these models, users may encounter errors such as “Water level exceeded maximum…more than 4.0000 times cross section height”. This error message indicates that the water level in the simulation has exceeded the maximum allowed limit, which is set at four times the height of the cross section.

Such errors can occur for a variety of reasons, including incorrect input data, model setup, or simulation parameters. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of this error and provide some troubleshooting tips.

Possible Causes of the Error

There are several factors that can cause the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in the MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models. Some of the more common causes are

1. Incorrect input data

One of the main reasons for this error is incorrect input data. The model requires accurate and reliable data on river geometry, roughness coefficients, and flow boundary conditions. For example, if the river geometry data is incomplete or inaccurate, the model may not be able to accurately simulate water flow and transport, leading to erroneous results. Similarly, if the roughness coefficients are not representative of actual conditions, the model may overestimate or underestimate the resistance to flow, resulting in unrealistic water levels.

2. Model Setup

Another common cause of the Water Level Exceeded Maximum error is incorrect model setup. This can include issues such as incorrect boundary conditions, incorrect time step size, and incorrect initial conditions. For example, if the boundary conditions are not properly defined, the model may not accurately simulate the inflow and outflow of water, resulting in an unrealistic simulation.

Similarly, if the time step size is too large, the model may not be able to accurately capture the dynamics of flow and transport, resulting in an unrealistic simulation. In addition, if the initial conditions are not representative of the actual conditions, the model may not be able to accurately simulate the water levels.

Troubleshooting Tips and Solutions

If you encounter the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in your MIKE-SHE or MIKE-HydroRiver simulation, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problem. Some of these tips are

1. Check the input data

The first step is to check the input data and ensure that it is accurate and complete. This includes checking the river geometry, roughness coefficients, and flow boundary conditions. If any of these inputs are incorrect or incomplete, you should correct them and rerun the simulation.

2. Adjust Model Parameters

If the input data is correct, you can try adjusting the model parameters, such as the time step size or roughness coefficients, to see if that solves the problem. For example, you can try reducing the time step size to capture the flow dynamics more accurately, or adjusting the roughness coefficients to better represent the actual conditions.

3. Reviewing the Model Setup

Another step is to review the model setup and ensure that it is correct. This includes checking the boundary conditions, initial conditions, and other model settings. If any of these settings are incorrect, you should correct them and re-run the simulation.

4. Seek Expert Help

If you are unable to resolve the “Water level exceeded maximum” error on your own, you can seek help from experts in the field. This may include contacting the software vendor or other geoscientists who have experience with the models.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models can be caused by several factors, including incorrect input data, model setup, or simulation parameters. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can troubleshoot and resolve the problem to ensure that your simulation results are accurate and reliable. It is important to note that hydrologic modeling is a complex field, and errors like this are not uncommon. However, with careful attention to detail and proper troubleshooting techniques, you can overcome these challenges and produce meaningful results that can contribute to the understanding of water flow and transport in river basins.

FAQs

1. What does the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models mean?

The “Water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models means that the water level in the simulation has exceeded the maximum allowed limit, which is set at four times the height of the cross section. This can indicate that the simulation results are unrealistic and may require troubleshooting.

2. What are some possible causes of the “Water level exceeded maximum” error?

Some possible causes of the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models include incorrect input data, model setup, or simulation parameters. This can include issues such as incomplete or inaccurate river geometry data, incorrect roughness coefficients, or incorrect boundary conditions.

3. How can incorrect input data lead to the “Water level exceeded maximum” error?

Incorrect input data such as incomplete or inaccurate river geometry data, roughness coefficients, or flow boundary conditions can lead to unrealistic simulations that exceed the maximum water level limit. For example, if the river geometry data is incomplete or inaccurate, the model may not be able to accurately simulate the water flow and transport, leading to erroneous results.

4. What steps can be taken to troubleshoot and resolve the “Water level exceeded maximum” error?

To troubleshoot and resolve the “Water level exceeded maximum” error, you can take several steps such as checking input data for accuracy and completeness, adjusting model parameters such as the time step size or roughness coefficients, reviewing model setup for correctness, and seeking help from experts in the field if needed.

5. What impact can the “Water level exceeded maximum” error have on simulation results?

The “Water level exceeded maximum” error can indicate that the simulation results are unrealistic and therefore may not accurately represent the actual conditions. This can impact the accuracy and reliability of the simulation results and may require troubleshooting to resolve the error and produce meaningful results.

6. Why is accurate input data important in hydrological modeling?

Accurate input data is important in hydrological modeling because it directly affects the accuracy and reliability of the simulation results. Incorrect or incomplete input data can lead to unrealistic simulations that do not accurately represent the actual conditions, which can impact the ability to make informed decisions based on the simulation results.

7. What can be done to prevent the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models?

To prevent the “Water level exceeded maximum” error in MIKE-SHE and MIKE-HydroRiver models, it is important to ensure that input data is accurate and complete, model setup is correct, and simulation parameters are appropriate for the specific conditions being modeled. This can include conducting sensitivity analyses to determine the appropriate values for model parameters and verifying the accuracy of input data through field measurements or other sources of data. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date with best practices and guidelines for hydrological modeling to ensure that the models are being used effectively and efficiently.