These are both good questions.

1. Output File: Decisions about the content and format of the SWMM 5 output file are still evolving. Right now, if you run SWMM 5 from the command line (like in the old days) you will get an output file saved to disk which you can view and edit. The [REPORT] section of the input file is used to describe which objects you would like to see in the report. We expect to add more choices for these commands in the future. Right now all you get is a time series of each computed variable for each subcatchment, node, or link specified.

There is no equivalent output text file generated when SWMM 5 is run from the Windows GUI. In this case, a binary file is generated from the run which contains all of the simulation's results. The user can then interactively generate reports from this file for specific objects in the study area. These reports can include time series graphs and tables, profile plots, scatter plots, and statistical frequency analyses. It is possible to print these reports, copy them to a file or copy them to the Windows clipboard.

Right now, once a SWMM 5 GUI session ends, the binary output file is deleted. So when you start your session again, you have to re-run your analysis to see your results again. Eventually we will have the binary output file saved between sessions so you won't have to do this any more (you will be able to start up where you left off).

Please note that under either way of running SWMM 5 a "status report" is generated that contains continuity error results as well as certain summary statistics for each element in the study area.

2. GIS Capabilities Due to externally imposed constraints, the SWMM 5 Redevelopment project is limited in the amount of GIS/CAD functionality it can introduce into the program. Right now we have no plans to add the ability to read DXF or shape files, either as a backdrop image or as a way to import drainage network components or their coordinates. This could change if we wind up linking SWMM 5 into other EPA systems that rely heavily on GIS functions, such as BASINS.

On behalf of the SWMM 5 Redevelopment Team,

Lewis Rossman
rossman.lewis@epa.gov