Login

Server Login Workflow Changes

The server login process for the CWMS Database and CDA has been streamlined to allow immediate access to the software.

  • Previous Behavior: Upon launching HEC-RTS/CAVI, users were required to log into either a database or a "local" session before they could access the main software interface.
  • New Behavior: Launching HEC-RTS now takes you directly into the software so you can begin working locally right away. Connections to databases or the CDA can be initiated voluntarily at any time via the Login option in the File menu.

Restoring Legacy Behavior

If you prefer the previous workflow and want the login screen to display immediately upon startup, a toggle has been added to the settings. You can re-enable this behavior by navigating to Options -> RTS Options and selecting the appropriate startup prompt.

RTS Options - Login at Application Start

CWBI Server Setup and URL Correction

The underlying logic for CWBI logins within the Server Setup configuration has changed. If you are currently using OpenID CWBI as your authentication source, you must reset the connection to correct the URLs used to initiate the login. To do this, perform the following steps:

  1. Change the authentication setting to None.

  2. Change the setting back to OpenID CWBI.

A generic OpenID Connect authentication source has also been created. This new mechanism is now preferred over the legacy OpenID CWBI source. For detailed instructions, see Login into CWMS-Vue/CAVI in CWBI.

Paired Data Extract/Post

The Extract and Post Editors now support Paired Data types for local DSS files. HEC-RTS can retrieve paired data from, or write it back to, local DSS files using standard Extract and Post operations. Note that the CDA data source does not currently expose Paired Data, meaning it cannot be used as a source or destination for these operations.

Model Linking

The Get Linkages From option in the Model Linking Editor has been improved. Selecting Use Existing ResSim Linkages will now overwrite current linkages with the pathnames from the HEC-ResSim - Default variant. This is particularly useful when you update a base HEC-ResSim alternative and need to quickly sync the new DSS pathnames.

Consolidation of the Data Modules

The Visualization Tab has been removed from the default HEC-RTS interface. To centralize data management, all data-related operations are now housed exclusively in the Acquisition Tab. If you still require the Visualization Tab, it can be re-enabled using a -D flag. For detailed instructions, see HEC-RTS Debug Logging and -D Flag Options.

Cumulus

Improved Error Handling and Messaging

Several updates have been made to provide clearer feedback when errors occur:

  • Authentication Failures: The system now displays a explicit "Failure to Authenticate" error message if login credentials fail.
  • Extract Messaging: Error messaging within the Extract workflow has been improved. The system now properly captures and displays missing watershed and product errors.
  • Product Validation: If a specific product cannot be found, the system will output a dedicated warning stating: "Warning! Product [XXXXX] does not exist."

Interface and Persistence Enhancements

The application now maintains your selections when navigating between pages. Specifically, the system persists your selected office, watershed, and products even when the URL changes.

Cleanup Forecast Remnants 

When watersheds are transferred between computers or forecasts are archived, the Open Forecast dialog can become cluttered with forecast remnants (forecasts that appear in the list but no longer exist locally). Attempting to open these "ghost" forecasts results in a null forecast containing no data. A new feature, Cleanup Forecast Remnants, helps remove these erroneous forecast locations from your watershed. For more information, refer to the Deleting Forecast Remnants tutorial.

Background Maps Layers

The Map Layers Editor manages layer visibility within the Acquisition, Setup, and Modeling tabs. A software update has resolved a defect where layer configurations failed to persist after a project was closed and reopened. Map layer visibility states are now saved natively between HEC-RTS sessions.

This enhancement enables users to permanently exclude specific model schematics from future forecasts within a designated Forecast Run. For instance, the HEC-FIA model schematic can be disabled in the map window, and that configuration will remain active across sessions. For further details, see Working with Model Schematic Layers.

Removed Features

Export Image to Windows Metafile (WMF)

WMF format is no longer supported for map image exports. Use JPEG or PNG formats instead.

Team Modeling - CWMS Servers

Saving team watersheds to CWMS Servers is disabled. To continue using team modeling, migrate your team watersheds to a network drive.

iText Library

iText has been removed from the HEC-RTS and CWMS-Vue packages due to licensing restrictions.

Known Issues

The status of issues identified in the CWMS 3.5 release can be found here.

The known issues as of the CWMS 3.6 release can be found here.