Create a surface with Topo to Raster from point elevation data and a stream

[GregoryGeise]

I am trying to simulate a water table using the elevation of the water table at multiple points (surface elevation minus depth to water in test wells) in my study area. These points are on both sides of a stream. The stream elevation needs to be considered in the interpolation to avoid the water table being higher than the stream surface. The stream I use has elevation in its shape (polyline Z) but the resulting surface doesn't incorporate the stream. I compare the ground surface elevation very near the stream to the same location on the topo to raster result, but that location on the topo to raster result is always much higher than the ground surface elevation next to the stream.

Is this not what the tool is used for? If so, is there another tool that would work?

Here is a very simple cross- section illustrating how I want the stream incorporated in the water table:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]22865[/ATTACH]

Thanks-

Greg

[TimBarnes]

The interpolation of streams using topo to raster simply ensures that the stream path 'flows' downhill in the DEM as far as I know- I don't think it actually uses any of the Z values of a stream line to 'burn' into the terrain.

You might want to look at creating a TIN or terrain and using your 3D stream as a breakline instead- This will ensure that the values of your stream line are incorporated into the output terrain model.

[JonathanMcKaskey1]

Try using closely spaced points with z-values along your streams.

[TomaszBartus]

You can try the Arc Hydro Tools and DEM Reconditioning function.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]23439[/ATTACH]

The picture is from Comprehensive Terrain Preprocessing Using Arc Hydro Tools by Dean Djokic, ESRI, 2008 (available in teh web).