This guide will teach you the steps needed to modify how streams, stream junctions, and stream nodes appear in your watershed, as well as set a visualization scale for the Stream Alignment layer.

Accessing the Stream Alignment Properties Dialog

  1. From the Maps menu, select Map Layers. 

  2. In the Map Layers editor, right-click on Stream Alignment.

  3. Select Properties from the shortcut menu, and the Stream Alignment Properties dialog will open.

Displaying the Stream Alignment in the Map Window

If the Stream Alignment layer is not visible in the Map Layer Tree, follow these steps to display it:

  1. Go to the Setup tab.
  2. Right-click on Stream Alignment in the list.
  3. Select Display in Map Window from the menu.

The layer will now appear in the Map Layer Tree and be visible on the map.

Customizing the Stream Appearance

You can customize the visual appearance of stream elements on the map to match your preferences or improve readability.

Stream Width

To adjust the thickness of stream lines displayed on the map:

  1. Select an option from the Stream Width dropdown menu.
  2. Click Apply to confirm your choice.

Stream Color

The default color for stream lines is orange, but you can choose Set the stream line color using the Stream Color dropdown.

  1. Select a preset color from the Stream Color dropdown menu.
    1. To define a custom color, select Custom to open the Choose a Color dialog.
  2. A preview of your selected color appears in the properties window.
  3. Click Apply to confirm your choice and display the new color on the map.

Stream Labels

By default, stream names (labels) are shown on the map. To hide labels, uncheck Show Stream Name and click Apply.

To change the font used for labels:

  1. Click Choose Font just below the Stream Color dropdown menu.
  2. In the Font Chooser window, select the desired font style and size, then click OK.
  3. Click Apply to update the map with the new font settings.

Tic Marks (Stream Stationing)

Tic marks represent stationing along the stream and come in two types: minor and major.

To hide all tic marks, uncheck Draw Station Tics and click Apply.

To adjust their lengths:

  1. Use the Tic Length (minor) and Major Tic Length dropdowns to select new options.
  2. Click Apply to see the changes.

To change the font for tic mark labels:

  1. Click Choose Font just below the Tic Length dropdown menus.
  2. In the Font Chooser window, select the desired font style and size, then click OK.
  3. Click Apply to update the map.

Customizing Stream Nodes and Junctions

You can adjust the display settings for stream nodes and junctions to suit your visual preferences.

Stream Nodes

  • To hide stream nodes from the map, uncheck Draw Stream Nodes.
  • Set the node color using the Node Color dropdown. The default is green. You can also click Custom to choose a custom color.
  • Set the outline color using the Node Outline Color dropdown. The default is dark green. You can also click Custom to choose a custom color.
  • Adjust the node size using the Node Width dropdown.
  • Click Apply to save your changes and update the display.

Stream Junctions

  • To hide stream junctions, uncheck Draw Junctions.
  • Choose the junction color from the Junction Color dropdown. The default color is dark green. You can also click Custom to choose a custom color.
  • Set the junction size using the Junction Width dropdown.
  • Click Apply to save your changes and update the display.

Creating a Custom Visualization Scale

HEC-RTS allows you to control how stream alignment features are displayed at different zoom levels by setting custom visualization scales. This is especially useful if you want certain elements—such as tic marks—to appear only when zoomed in and disappear when zoomed out.

To create a custom scale:

  1. Go to the Scale menu and select New.
  2. In the Create New Scale dialog, enter your desired scale factor.
    1. For example, to set a scale of 1:10,000, enter 10000.
  3. Click OK. A new tab will appear in the properties dialog, corresponding to the scale you just created.
  4. Customize the appearance of stream elements for this scale.
  5. If needed, adjust the value in the Use Below Scale 1: box to fine-tune when the settings apply.
  6. Click Apply to save your changes.

Final Review

Once you finish customizing the appearance of the stream alignment:

  1. Review the sample stream alignment in the preview section to the right of the window.
    1. If any additional changes are needed, adjust the appropriate settings as directed in the instructions above. 
  2. Click Apply to save the changes.
  3. Once you are satisfied with the appearance, click OK to finalize the changes and close the dialog.
  4. Save the watershed.