In early 1975 the Hydrologic Engineering Center undertook the task of creating technology which would enable the Corps of Engineers to assist local and regional planning agencies to evaluate alternative future land use patterns from a hydrologic, flood damage and environmental view point. The report describes the technology developed and the data flow which enables an expedient and consistant evaluation of specific site proposals or entire alternative future land use patterns. (Author).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is using spatial data management techniques in studies that are structured in a manner that requires spatial data management techniques to play a central and dominant role. The Corps of Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) provided the basic developmental work on the spatial data management and attendant processing techniques and it is continuing in the role of the basic technology transfer agent. The significant efforts required to document, maintain and service the technology and provide ready consultation service reported herein were planned for during the developmental efforts and are currently being centrally managed to encourage smooth adoption of the techniques by Corps field offices. (Author).

Flood control and flood plain management investigations using spatial data management techniques are increasing in the Corps of Engineers. Pilot studies initiated in the mid-1970's were successful in consolidating analysis concepts, fostering the development of spatial data file creation and management technology and enhancing the consideration of existing and alternative future development patterns in Corps' planning studies. Over 30 studies using HEC-SAM, the Corps' spatial data management system, are now completed or underway. HEC-SAM was created through selective acquisition of commercial software, adaption of academic research products, and development by researchers at the Corps' Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC). The HEC role continues to be that of system developer and technology transfer agent. The evolution, present capabilities, and applications of HEC-SAM are described. Observations are offered on spatial technology development, implementation, and servicing. (Author).

This document describes a procedure for application of spatial data management techniques engineers interested in making use of a grid cell data bank in their studies. The necessary steps to complete a hydrologic engineering rainfall-runoff study of a given watershed for either hypothetical or historical storm events are presented. The user will be required to understand the input instructions for portions of the bank and RIA programs and the hydrologic analysis programs HYDPAR and HEC-1. (Author).