The following is a typical workflow for forecasting:

  1. Check that critical data are available - Acquisition module.
  2. Create a new HEC-RTS forecast. An HEC-RTS forecast is a simulation of watershed processes and consequences of flooding based on input data and information and hydrologic, reservoir operation, hydraulic, and impact analysis applications configured in HEC-RTS. During a forecast, a forecast run is run at a specific forecast time. (Recall that, a forecast run is a single forecast scenario defined by a specific set of data, information, and HEC-RTS alternatives.) HEC-RTS copies all the necessary files to a dated forecast directory (HEC-RTS Application Settings). You should check the data for errors and ensure that the data were extracted properly.
  3. Compute the forecast and check results. Forecast results include flow and stage in the channel from watershed runoff, reservoir release schedules, floodplain inundation maps, floodplain consequence reports, and reports listing actions for emergency responders to take. These results inform water management decision making. You can view results tables and plots in the Modeling module. Compute messages provide information about each step of the computation process. Model-specific reports provide details about the individual models. RAS Mapper allows you to view HEC-RAS inundation maps. If your models alternatives require adjustment, you can access model editors your model forecast runs and override controls. These features are discussed in Model Alternatives and Forecast Runs.
  4. Manage forecast information. When model results have been reviewed and validated, HEC-RTS provides tools to assist in managing information. Forecast results and data can be posted to DSS file(s), save modeling data, and protect your forecast from further editing.