The QUAL2E Windows interface is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. The screen input sequence for QUAL2E is given in Table 3.1. QUAL2E simulation control, a stream system, global variables, functional data, climatology data, and uncertainty analysis. The QUAL2E simulation control describes simulation control variables and number of reaches in the reach system. A complete stream system is described by the reach connection, element type, and a computational length.
River reaches, which are aggregates of computational elements, are the basis of most data input.
The functional data provide flow data, reaction coefficients, and forcing functions. Initial conditions, boundary conditions, and point source loads are input as forcing functions. The global climatology data are required only for diurnal DO simulations. Of 24 screens, the first 3 screens where a complete stream system is entered are most important because the majority of the data on the following screens are dependent upon the information given by Screens 1-3. The stream system can be described by reach name, beginning and ending reach in terms of river miles or kilometers, and an indication of the headwater.