Team modeling enables effective collaboration among modelers working on the same watershed and forecasts. In complex watersheds involving multiple models, different team members may be responsible for specific components - for example, one modeler might manage the HEC-HMS model, while others handle HEC-ResSim or HEC-RAS components. Team modeling allows each member to contribute their expertise and participate in synchronized, real-time activities.

At the core of team modeling is a master watershed and its associated forecasts, which are stored in a shared location such as a network drive. Each team member works with a local copy of the watershed on their computer and exchanges updates by uploading and downloading changes from the master version. A real-time notification system alerts users when the master watershed is updated, ensuring everyone stays informed of the latest modifications.

The master watershed maintains a detailed log of all file changes, including who made the changes and when. This applies to both base data - the original versions of model alternatives used for forecasts - and forecast data, which includes the working versions with observed and forecast boundary condition inputs.

Master Watershed

A master watershed is a shared watershed used by multiple modelers and stored on a shared network drive. It contains both base and forecast data and must be accessible to all team members. To contribute updates, team members need write access to the shared drive.

The master watershed is not edited directly on the network drive. Instead, each team member downloads a local copy to their own computer. They make changes to this local version, then upload only the modified files and HEC-DSS records back to the shared master. This selective transfer reduces upload/download time by skipping unchanged files.

The master watershed keeps track of changes made by each team member and alerts others when updates occur. If a team member modifies the master watershed while others are working on their local copies, a desktop notification appears in the lower right corner to alert them that their version is out of sync. If the watershed is not open at the time, the notification will display the next time it is opened.

Any watershed can be converted into a master watershed. It may originate from a local setup or already exist on a network drive. Once established, existing forecasts can be transformed into team forecasts, as explained in the Team Forecasting section.

Regular watersheds do not support team modeling features until they are converted into a master watershed.

Synchronizing Data

The Master Watershed Synchronization dialog allows users to synchronize base data between a local watershed and the master watershed. You can use it to check for updates, download the latest data, or upload your changes.

To access the dialog, navigate to the Setup tab and from the Watershed menu, go to Team > Sync with Master Watershed.

Synchronization Tree

In the dialog, base data is organized into a Synchronization Tree. Each node in this tree corresponds to a data group (folder) in the watershed structure.

  • The top node represents the entire watershed (e.g., W12_HEC_RussianRiver).
  • The Watershed Data node is a special group that includes the study, reports, and layouts folders.

Version Numbers

Each node is labeled with two numbers in parentheses (e.g., HMS (1/2)):

  • First number - Version on your local computer.
  • Second number - Version on the master watershed.

Key rules:

  • If the first number is less than the second, updates are available to download.
  • If both numbers are the same, your local data is up-to-date.
  • (0/0) or (Na/Na) indicates the data group hasn't been uploaded to the master yet.
  • The first number will never be greater than the second.

Synchronization Tree Node Colors

Each node is color-coded to indicate its status:

  • White - Local and master copies are in sync.
  • Orange - Master has newer data. You need to download updates.
  • Yellow - Data has not been uploaded to the master. You need to upload it.

HEC-ResSim Model Information Example

Using the Action Buttons

When a data group is selected, the Actions Box provides several options:

  • Download - Retrieves the latest version from the master.
  • Upload - Sends your local version to the master.
  • Protect - Prevents others from uploading changes to this data group.
  • Unprotect - Re-enables shared access.
  • Diff... - Compares your local version with the master version.

Below the Actions Box, you’ll also see:

  • Revision - Shows local and master version numbers.
  • Updated On - Date, time, and user who last updated the master version.
  • Status - Indicates if your local version is Current or Out of Date.
  • Comments - Displays notes from the last upload.
  • History - Opens a detailed revision history for the selected data group.

Out of Date with Master Watershed

When you open a watershed with outdated files, an Out of Date with Master Watershed dialog appears.

Dialog Components:

  • Data Group Table - Lists out-of-date data groups with their version numbers.
  • Update - Check the box to update selected data groups.
  • Model - Shows the data group name. Hover to see associated folders.
  • Local Rev. / Master Rev. - Show local and master version numbers.
  • Comments - Displays notes from the latest revision.

To update, click Update. The dialog will close, and file updates will begin.

You can also click History (when a row is selected) to open a detailed revision history.

Revision History Dialog

Protecting Data

When you want to prevent others from uploading changes to specific forecast data, you can protect it. Setting the Protect flag restricts uploads to the master watershed for the selected data. However, team members can still download and edit the data locally. They just won’t be able to upload changes to the master watershed for any protected data groups.

Additional Resources

Refer to this set of guides to learn more about team modeling within HEC-RTS.