FAQ

How do I report a problem, or ask for help?

Please see the Contact page.

What web browsers are supported?

We aim to support the newest versions of Internet Explorer, v11, and Firefox and Chrome. However, Internet Explorer version 11 (as well as versions 9 and 10, and Safari) will prevent you from using the "Save map image" function. As a workaround you can use Windows' built-in screen capture function: hold down the Windows key and press PrtScn. Alternatively, use the Snipping Tool utility in Programs -→ Accessories. Mac users should use Command-Shift-4. This will take a copy of the screen which you can paste into Word or your favourite image editing software. Older versions of Safari also have problems with data entry fields. If you have problems entering numeric values we recommend you switch to to one of the fully-supported browsers, above.

Can we share a pool of credits between multiple user accounts for one organisation?

This depends on the number of credits purchased. For organisations making large bulk credit purchases, CEH will manage credit allocations for a group of users. Please see the bulk purchase page for more information.

For other users/organisations, this facility is not available. The system will, however, allow multiple concurrent sessions using the same login details, so a single account can be shared between multiple individuals. If you are sharing your account with one or more colleagues, you may find it helpful to adopt a convention whereby the names you assign to purchased catchments/points are prefixed with your initials. This will allow you to search for your own catchments using the search widget at the bottom of the tools menu:

To rename an existing catchment, select it from the map or from your Catchments list, then use the pencil icon under the catchment name:

The same facility is available for renaming purchased points

Do my credits expire?

If you place orders of less than 10,000 credits, these credits will not expire. Credits that are purchased in blocks above this threshold at the higher discount bands (see the pricing page) expire after one year. See also the bulk order purchasing page.

What do I get when I buy a catchment?

• all catchment descriptors, exportable in CD3/XML/CSV format, including FEH 2013 rainfall data that can be used with ReFH v2.1+. The descriptors are: Area, Altbar, Aspbar, Aspvar, Bfihost, CentroidEasting, CentroidNorthing, Dplbar, Dpsbar, Farl, Fpext, Fpdbar, Fploc, Ldp, Propwet, Rmed1H, Rmed1D, Rmed2D, Saar6190, Saar4170, Sprhost, Urbconc1990, Urbext1990, Urbloc1990, Urbconc2000, Urbext2000, Urbloc2000, CatchmentRainC, CatchmentRainD1, CatchmentRainD2, CatchmentRainD3, CatchmentRainE, CatchmentRainF, GridRainD1, GridRainD2, GridRainD3, GridRainC, GridRainE, and GridRainF.
• a high-resolution catchment boundary in ESRI shapefile format
• unlimited rainfall depth/duration/rarity (DDF) calculations using both the FEH 1999 and FEH 2013 models
• interactive rainfall growth curve graphs
• bulk export of DDF values from both rainfall models in CSV format

Once a catchment has been purchased it remains associated with your account granting you perpetual access to the data above.

Is the FEH Web Service compatible with ReFH 2 software?

The FEH Web Service has been designed to be compatible with ReFH, versions 2.1 and upwards, and therefore purchased catchment descriptors can be exported in.xml format & loaded directly into the software.

To process point data, version 2.2 or higher of ReFH is required.

ReFH can be bought from the Wallingford HydroSolutions online shop.

The FEH Web Service provides the rainfall depths for given durations and return periods for the FEH 1999 and FEH 2013 models for a catchment together with a comprehensive suite of catchment descriptors. ReFH 2.1 software enables interpretation of these data through the Revitalised Flood Hydrograph (ReFH) model. The software enables you to estimate design flood hydrographs for catchment application in both rural and urbanised catchments using the latest methods which draw on both the FEH 1999 and 2013 rainfall models. The technical guidance report details the full scope of the ReFH software. The FEH 13 rainfall model is a significant advance over the original FEH99 rainfall model and ReFH 2 has been calibrated to use either model. Previous versions of ReFH (ReFH1 and the ReFH spreadsheet) are not compatible with the FEH 13 rainfall model.

I am unable to pay by credit card. What other payment options are available?

Payment can also be made by cheque or BACS transfer. Please contact us and we will arrange for a proforma invoice to be issued. We will allocate the credits to a single account of your choosing once payment has been received.

The minimum order is for 1000 credits (sufficient for 100 catchment retrievals, or 500 point retrievals), ordered for a single account at one time. This threshold has been set to help cover the administrative overheads of processing payments manually.

For the avoidance of doubt we would like to remind you that purchased credits do not expire unless you make a high volume bulk purchase (10,000 credits or more).

What do I get when I buy a point (as opposed to a catchment)?

In contrast to an entire catchment, a point is a single location on the map accurate to 1m. With a point you get

• the BFIHOST, SAAR6190, and PROPWET descriptors and FEH 2013 rainfall data for that point, which can be exported to XML and used with ReFH v2.2+
• unlimited rainfall depth/duration/rarity (DDF) calculations using the FEH 2013 model
• interactive rainfall growth curve graphs
• bulk export of rainfall DDF values in CSV format

The FEH99 DDF parameters (C, D1..3, E & F) are not available for points

Once a point has been purchased it remains associated with your account granting you perpetual access to the data above.