Similar mechanisms were designed into OPPS for the treatment of each input data source. The OPPS programs are supported by the OPPS database consisting of static and dynamic tabular and graphic data. The dynamic portion of the OPPS database is constantly updated by a wide variety of inputs. The remainder of this paper describes, in some detail, the OPPS components and their relationships in the production of OPPS outputs. OPPS can handle both raster and vector data types.
Raster data can be variable in resolution.
Vector data may be either point, line, or area structures. All calculations are performed in the geodetic coordinate system. Many of the analysis programs in OPPS model orographic processes and, as such, are highly dependent upon DEM data. The highest quality of DEM Data available in national coverage are in the WGS 84 and NGVD 29 datums. Snow cover rasters are produced on a delay basis and are registered with the OPPS database as they become available.