Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) User's Manual; Version 1.43 for Watershed Modeling System 6.1

The need to simulate surface water flows in watersheds with diverse runoff production mechanisms has led to the development of the physically-based hydrologic model Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA). GSSHA is a reformulation and enhancement of the two-dimensional, physically based model CASC2D. The GSSHA model is capable of simulating stream flow generated by a variety of sources, including runoff due to infiltration excess and saturated sources areas and seeps, as well as direct interaction between streams and the saturated groundwater. The model employs mass-conserving solutions of partial differential equations. The hydrologic components are closely linked, assuring an overall mass balance. The model has been applied to a diverse variety of projects and has been proven useful for analysis of hydrologic and sedimentation processes, and can provide information needed for designed systems and the potential effects of projects, land-use change, environmental restoration, best management practices, climate change, and related issues. This manual describes the model formulation, model input, and provides information on the practice of hydrologic modeling with GSSHA, and hydrologic modeling in general.