A post in HEC-RTS refers to the process of exporting data from the forecast.dss file to another location—such as another HEC-DSS file, a database, or a CDA instance. Post Groups help organize and manage these data transfers.

This guide will teach you how to set up a Post Group in HEC-RTS.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure that you have successfully run a forecast in your HEC-RTS watershed and have a forecast.dss file containing the output ready for export.

Step 1: Open the Post Editor

  1. Launch HEC-RTS and open your watershed. 
  2. Go to the Setup tab.
  3. In the Models menu, select Edit Post.
  4. The Post Editor dialog will appear.

Step 2: Create a New Post Group

To create a new group:

  1. Click New Post Group.
  2. The New Post Group dialog will appear.
  3. Enter a Name for your new Post Group.
  4. Choose a data type:
    1. Time Series 
    2. Gridded Data
  5. Select the destination:
    1. For Time Series: DSS, Remote DSS, Oracle, CWMS Data API (CDA), or KIWIS
    2. For Gridded Data: DSS or Remote DSS

Step 3: Configure Storage and Time Window Settings

The options within the New Post Group dialog will change based on the data type and destination selected. 

Time Series to HEC-DSS

  1. Choose Time Series as the Type and DSS or Remote DSS as the Destination.
  2. Select the destination file:
    1. Click the ellipsis (…) next to the File box.
    2. Browse and select the HEC-DSS file, then click Open.
  3. Select appropriate Override Protections and Storage Options.
  4. Click OK to create the new Post Group. 

Time Series to Oracle or CWMS Data API

  1. Choose Time Series as the Type and Oracle or CWMS Data API as the Destination.
  2. Ensure your Oracle or CDA connection is preconfigured.
  3. Select appropriate Override Protections and Storage Options.
  4. Click OK to create the new Post Group. 

Gridded Data to DSS

  1. Choose Gridded Data as the Type and DSS or Remote DSS as the Destination.
  2. Select the destination file using the ellipsis (…) next to the File box.
  3. Click OK to create the new Post Group.

Override Protections and Storage Options

If Enable Override Protection is checked, only missing values will be replaced (no data will be overridden). If not checked, then data will be replaced if there is overlap.

For more information on the options available, refer to Override Protections.

Run Post Option

To have the Post Group run automatically during the post operation, check Select in Run Post List.

Time Window Settings

Set the time window for posting:

  • Start Options:
    • Extract Start (default)
    • Start of Simulation
  • End Options:
    • Forecast Time (default)
    • End of Simulation

You can also specify offsets in the Offset field to adjust timing relative to the forecast window.

Step 4: Set the F-Part of the Pathname

Set how the F-Part (forecast identifier) in your dataset’s pathname is handled:

  • As Specified - manually enter for each record in the table
  • $ForecastRunName
  • $ForecastRunKey
  • $ForecastRunName - $ForecastRunKey
  • $CurrentTime"EEE"
  • $ForecastTime"EEE" 

Select the preferred format from the dropdown in the upper-right of the Post Linking box or during initial setup through the New Post Group dialog.

Step 5: Add Output Data

It's now time to select the output records to include in the post group. 

Using Available Output

To add model alternative output records to a post group:

  1. In the Available Output table, select the output records you want to add.
    1. Use CTRL to select multiple rows.
  2. Click Add to Group.
    Available Output Table
  3. The records selected will appear in the Post Linking table.

To adjust what is displayed in the table, click the magnifying glass icon. Refer to Post Editor for more information on formatting the Post Linking table.

Using Ad-Hoc Records

You can also post data not listed in the Available Output table:

  1. Click Add Post Data Set.

  2. In the Adhoc: DSS Time Series Record Chooser, open the forecast.dss file.

  3. Select the desired pathname and click Set Pathname.

  4. The record will be added to the Post Linking table.

  5. Close the Adhoc: DSS Time Series Record Chooser to return to the Post Editor.
  6. Edit the pathname from the source HEC-DSS file as necessary. See the info below for more information.

F Parts for Ad-Hoc Records

When using Ad-Hoc records, the F-Part of the source record is not automatically replaced with the forecast run key. Use wildcards (e.g., %%%) to match your model’s position in the forecast sequence:

  • 1st model: %
  • 2nd model: %%
  • 3rd model: %%%, etc.

Step 6: Select Destination Records

You can modify the destination name for each record:

  1. In the To <data_source> column, double-click a row. 
  2. Click the ellipsis (...) to open a record selector.
    Selecting Records from the Destination File
  3. Use the Search by Parts section to find the desired destination record.
  4. Click the record and select Set Pathname.
    DSS Time Series Record Chooser Dialog
  5. The time series record you selected will display in the Post Linking table.
  6. Close the record selector to return to the Post Editor.

You may also type a new name directly into the cell if the destination record does not yet exist.

Step 7: Save Your Work

Once you've created your new Post Group and added data to it, you need to save the work. Make sure you click Apply before clicking OK to close the Post Editor dialog.

Final Review

Run a forecast and execute the post process using your new Post Group to verify that data is being posted correctly.