This page provides important guidance to help you migrate the latest HEC-RTS software version.

The HEC-RTS 3.6 client package includes updates to several individual modeling applications and most of the core HEC-RTS client tools. 

Please read this information carefully before beginning the migration process.

Back Up Your Watersheds

Before opening any existing watershed in HEC-RTS 3.6:

  • Create a zipped backup of each watershed and forecasts on your local machine.
  • Back up any shared master watersheds stored on your network drives.
  • If you use Team Forecasting, coordinate with your team to decide whether to:
    • Upgrade the existing master watershed, or
    • Create a separate copy for use in HEC-RTS 3.6.
  • Clearly name each zip file so you and your team can easily identify which archive to use if you need to revert to the previous software version.

Updating Individual Models

When you open a CWMS 3.5 watershed in HEC-RTS 3.6, you will be prompted to update the individual models to their newer versions. You may choose to proceed with the update or cancel.

Once models are updated in HEC-RTS 3.6, they cannot be opened in CWMS 3.5. There is no backward compatibility between model versions.

Installation Location Recommendation

HEC recommends extracting and running the portable HEC-RTS software package from a folder located directly under the C: drive, such as:

  • C:\wmsoft\HEC-RTS-vX.Y.Z
  • C:\Local_Software\HEC\HEC-RTS-vX.Y.Z

Do not extract or run HEC-RTS from locations within your user profile (e.g., C:\Users\<YourUserID>\Desktop\HEC-RTS-vX.Y.Z), as antivirus software may block it.

Additionally, HEC recommends storing watersheds in a directory directly under the C: Drive, such as:

  • C:\HEC\HEC-RTS-vX.Y.Z
  • C:\HEC-RTS\vX.Y.Z

Do not save HEC-RTS watersheds within your user profile (e.g. C:\Users\<YourUserID>\Desktop\  or  C:\Users\<YourUserID>\Documents\), as OneDrive may offload files to an online location and cause read/write performance issues.