Observation points are used for model calibration. Observation points can be created one at a time using the Create Point tool and the point attributes can be entered using the Attributes dialog. However, for sites with large numbers of points, this type of entry can be time consuming. In such cases, it is more efficient to organize the observation point data in a spreadsheet, export the spreadsheet as a text file, and import the points.
An Observation Table file consists of observation data in a tabular format delimited by tabs, spaces, or commas. If the active coverage is not an observation coverage, an observation coverage is created. Once the file is imported, the Observation Coverage Options dialog appears and the general options for the coverage can be established.
Observation Table files are opened through File | Open. They are not saved from SMS in this format but can be saved in a Map file.
NODATA value
"name" "x" "y" "z" "mtype1" "int" "conf" "mtype2"...
"name" x y z val1 int2 conf1 val2.....
NODATA -999
"name" "x" "y" "z" "wse" "int" "conf"
"OBS Q5" 234.3 44.2 323.2 567.5 1.2 95
"OBS Q6" 833.3 842.3 320.2 555.3 1.4 90
"OBS Q8" 855.3 898.3 322.2 -999 0 0
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Card Type |
NODATA |
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|
Description |
Identifies a key value used to flag values where were not observed. This is equivalent to turning off the Observed toggle in the Observation Point Attributes dialog. |
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Required |
NO |
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Format |
NODATA value |
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Sample |
NODATA -999 |
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Field |
Variable |
Value |
Description |
|
1 |
value |
± |
Value to show point is not observed. |
The name column is an optional column used to list the name or id of each point. If the column is missing, SMS will assign a default name to each point. For example, the first point would be named "point_1" by default. If the column is present, it must begin with a column header of "name" (case insensitive). The quotes on the column header are optional. The quotes on the point names are also optional, but must be used if the name contains spaces.
The x, y, and z columns are required columns and should be used to list the coordinates of each point. The quotes on the column header are optional.
After the z column, a column of observed values may be listed. The column header provides the name of the measurement type. The values should then be listed in the column. The NODATA value may be used to signify an unobserved value as explained above. Quotes must be used on the column header if it contains spaces but are optional otherwise.
After the observed values column, the calibration target should be specified using one or two columns. If the interval and confidence option is used, two columns should be listed. The column header for the first column must be "int" and the column should contain the interval. The header for the second column must be "conf" and the column should contain the confidence values (0 - 100). If the standard deviation option is chosen, only one column should be listed. The column header must begin with the letters "st" and the standard deviation values should be listed. In each case, the quotes on the column names are optional. The quotes should be used if the name contains spaces.
If multiple measurement types exist, they should be listed in subsequent columns using the value-interval-confidence or value-std. deviation sequence described above.