1.   Purpose and objectives

     The purpose of MCP3 is to enable users to determine parameter values for the National Weather Service River Forecast System (NWSRFS) models by trial and error calibration using periods of historical data.

2.   Description

     MCP3 is based on an operation table concept allowing the user to combine any of the available hydrological models, statistical packages, displays and other algorithms in whatever order is needed to provide the required results. The hydrological models available in MCP3 include: Sacramento soil moisture accounting model (see component J04.3.01), NWSRFS snow accumulation and ablation model (see component J04.3.03), unit hydrograph, and several flow routing methods such as Lag and K, layered coefficient, Tatum and Muskingum. Also included are operations for adding and subtracting one time series from another; adjusting simulated flows to match observed values; accounting for losses or gains of water as a result of flow through the channel bottom and evaporation through the stream surface; setting all time series values to zero; plotting instantaneous discharge time series; computing mean discharge from instantaneous discharge; plotting time series on a monthly basis or by water year; computing a variety of statistics to compare simulated and observed mean daily discharge; and weighting the input time series to produce weighted output time series.

     Several of the models available in combination in MCP3 are included in the HOMS Reference Manual as separate components.

3.   Input

     Input file data defining the period of the run, the time series to be used, the sequence of operations, and parameters for each operation. Time intervals from 1 to 24 hours can be used. Time series data input from disk files.

4.   Output

     Tabular and plotted output are printed; time series can be stored on disk or may be punched. Error messages are printed.

5.   Operational requirements and restrictions

     a) One person with knowledge and experience in hydrological processes, 
        models, and a grasp of the elements of river forecasting and basic 
        understanding and familiarity with computers and software can run 
        the program.

     b) With the qualifications described above, 2 weeks of training is 
        required.

     c) Program is written in FORTRAN 77 for use on HP workstations; but 
        could be modified to run on other computers having large storage 
        capabilities and scratch work space. The program executable is 
        8,089,600 bytes in size.

     d) Maximum array sizes are variably dimensioned and can be specified 
        by the user. The program is designed to read data files of time 
        series in card image or from disk files. Any format may be used as 
        long as it is consistent for each time series.

6.   Form of presentation

     MCP3 is available from the HOMS National Reference Centre for the USA as a part of NWSRFS. It is not available as a separate component.

7.   Operational experiences

     Models have been used over a wide variety of climate conditions with good results; regular usage in U.S. by National Weather Service; implementation is complex.

8.   Technical support

     Dr. Michael Smith, Hydrologic Research Laboratory, NOAA-NWS.

9.   Availability

     From the HOMS National Reference Centre for USA.

10.  Conditions on use

     Free.