Configuring Model Alternative Keys

To complete configuration of a model alternative, you must assign each model alternative a Model Alternative Key. The Model Alternative Key is an alpha-numeric identifier that will determine the names of your forecast runs.

To assign model alternative keys:

1. From the HEC-RTS main window, click on the Setup module, from the Models menu, click Model Alternative Keys, and the Model Alternative Keys dialog (Figure 1) opens.
   
2. From the Plugin list (Figure 1), select the model for which you wish to assign a key.
3. In the Key field (Figure 1), enter a single unique alpha-numeric character that will be used to identify the listed Model Alternative.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for all models and model alternatives. Click OK, and the Model Alternative Keys dialog (Figure 1) closes.

Model alternatives for the standard software applications in HEC-RTS might be named like the following:

MFP deals with future precipitation. You can configure model alternatives for use in conjunction with HEC-HMS to compute a variety of future precipitation scenarios. For example:

HEC-HMS model alternatives simulate watershed response to precipitation. You will use HEC-HMS model alternatives to forecast future flows. For example:

HEC-ResSim model alternatives assist with reservoir operations, consisting of the physical data representing a river-reservoir system and operating rules for all controllable elements in the system. For example:

HEC-RAS model alternatives describe water surface profile and stages at gage locations, geometry information for a river, and defined flow data sets. For example:

HEC-FIA model alternatives allow you to analyze flood consequences. Its model forecast alternatives are a combination of impact area and hydrograph time series sets. For example:

You can edit the parameters within each HEC-RTS model alternative to reflect changing conditions. The beginning of this chapter describes how to edit model alternatives for the HEC-RTS software applications.