WEAP Tutorial - 04.3 - WEAP in one hour

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system, focusing on the essentials covered in the "WEAP in one hour" video by the Stockholm Environment Institute. Whether you're new to WEAP or looking to enhance your skills, this step-by-step guide will help you understand the fundamental features and functionalities of the software.

Step 1: Download and Install WEAP

• Visit the WEAP official website: www.weap21.org.
• Navigate to the Downloads section.
• Choose the appropriate version for your operating system and download the installation file.
• Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Create a New Project

• Open WEAP after installation.
• Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "New Project."
• Enter a project name and select a location to save your project file.
• Set the initial parameters, such as the time frame for your analysis.

Step 3: Set Up the Model Environment

• Define your study area by drawing the boundary of your watershed.
  • Use the drawing tools provided in the interface.

Add key components to your model

• Water Sources: Include rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
• Demand Sites: Add points for domestic, agricultural, and industrial water use.
• Management Options: Consider including reservoirs or water conservation measures.

Step 4: Input Data

Gather relevant data for your model, such as

• Hydrological data (precipitation, evaporation, etc.)
• Demand data (population, agricultural requirements, etc.)
• Input this data into the appropriate sections of WEAP.
  • Use the “Data” tab to access and enter data for each component.

Step 5: Configure Scenarios

• Create different scenarios to explore potential management strategies.
  • Click on "Scenarios" and select "New Scenario."
  • Adjust parameters as needed for each scenario (e.g., changes in demand or water supply).

Step 6: Run Simulations

• After setting up your model and scenarios, run simulations to analyze results.
• Click on the “Run” button in the toolbar.
• Monitor the progress through the log and wait for the simulation to complete.

Step 7: Analyze Results

• Review the outputs generated by your simulations.
• Use the graphing tools in WEAP to visualize key metrics, such as water availability and demand over time.
• Assess the impacts of different scenarios on your water system.

Step 8: Report Findings

Prepare reports based on your analysis

• Use the built-in reporting tools to create summaries and charts.
• Export your data and visualizations for presentations or further analysis.

Conclusion

This tutorial provided a structured approach to getting started with WEAP, from installation to analyzing results. By following these steps, you can effectively model water systems and explore various management options. For further learning, consider diving deeper into specific features of WEAP or exploring advanced modeling techniques. For additional resources, visit the WEAP website and the provided tutorial zip file.