All output devices support outputs at the model timestep size. But sometimes, you want or need to output data at a different timestep size. For example, if you are running an operations model with a 1 Hour timestep, perhaps you would like to output daily totals in a model report. Certain output devices can optionally summarize data; for example, Tabular Series Slot Reports will show you specified statistics (Min, Mean, Max) at fixed intervals (E.g. every 24th timestep) or at 1 Month intervals. These values are shown in addition to the single interval values. But, time series of aggregated information is not directly available from any of the devices. The general approach used in RiverWare is that you must create slots that represent the aggregated values. This section provides some guidance and approach for creating aggregated slots and then showing them in output device.

A general approach for showing aggregated values is to create slots that represent the aggregated values and then include them in your report. There are two types of slots that can be used, as follows:

It is usually easier and quicker to configure Time Aggregation Series Slots. But Expression Slots provide flexibility and customization if the aggregation function or time range that you wish to use is different than the provided functions.

Often, for output devices, you wish to show the same aggregated slots for many different objects. Let’s assume we wish to show the average monthly flow (in a model with a timestep of 1 Day) for six different reservoirs. In this example, we will show Time Aggregation Series slots. There are two main approaches to organize the aggregated slots for this calculation as shown in Table 1.1. Also shown are advantages and disadvantages for both.