CWMS-HMS Tips

Make sure that the base model functions correctly - either prior or after upgrading to CWMS.    

The HMS project should successfully compute from the setup tab of the CAVI via selecting HMS in the main toolbar.  Guaranteeing that the base HEC-HMS project computes correctly allows for faster debugging in the future.  Make sure all linked DSS files, shapefiles, and grid cell files are local to the HEC-HMS project directory.  Saving all external files within the HEC-HMS project directory will ensure the external files are kept with the HEC-HMS project when the project location is moved.

HMS Model Tuning Tips

For tuning an HMS model before or after importing it into a CWMS watershed:

• Keep all the DSS records needed for an HEC-HMS compute inside the HEC-HMS project tree (inside the project folder saved to disk). This will ensure that HEC-HMS can find all the required data when the project is opened and at compute time. And, it avoids prompts for DSS files when the project gets moved.
  • The Global File Reference Table with the Visual Cues for File Reference are an easy way to ensure that all files are linked like they should.
• Similarly, keep all the shapefiles and ModClark grid cell files needed by the model inside the HEC-HMS project tree.
• Minimize the volume of data in the HMS project tree supporting the base model test compute by cleaning up the HEC-HMS model; remove all unnecessary components, remove unnecessary DSS records, and delete old simulation results. The entire HEC-HMS project folder will be copied to each new forecast; therefore, whatever is in the HEC-HMS project folder will be duplicated per each forecast and the more to duplicate, the more time and storage each forecast will consume.

Use "Save to base" sparingly. It has potential to change paths and cause issues later on. If you have changes in a forecast that are desired to be put in base, it is recommended to modify the base model directly.