HEC-FIA can utilize HEC-RAS cross section and storage area shapefiles to calculate depth, arrival time, and duration at points in the floodplain. HEC-FIA doesn't need the geometry of the cross sections; it only requires the line that represents the cross section. HEC-FIA also needs to be able to identify the HEC-DSS A B C parts as attributes on the shapefile.

To export the cross sections and storage area shapefiles follow these steps:

  1. To start RAS Mapper, click RAS Mapper from the HEC-RAS toolbar. The RAS Mapper main window opens


Figure: Open RAS Mapper

  1. The geometry associated with the selected HEC-RAS project is loaded. This includes Storage Areas and cross sections (XS).

    Figure: RAS Mapper Main Window

  2. Right-click Storage Areas, from the shortcut menu point to Export Layer, click Save features to Shapefile. The Enter Shapefile Name browser opens.

    Figure: RAS Mapper - Storage Areas - Export Layers

  3. Browse to the location where the shapefile is to be stored, in the File name list. enter a name for the shapefile. Click Save, the Enter Shapefile Name browser closes), and the shapefile is created.

    Figure: Save Layer As Browser

  4. Right-click XS (cross sections), from the shortcut menu point to Export Layer, click Save features to Shapefile. The Enter Shapefile Name browser opens.
  5. Browse to the location where the shapefile is to be stored, in the File name list enter a name for the shapefile. Click Save, the Enter Shapefile Name browser closes, and the shapefile is created.
  6. Shapefiles for the storage areas and cross sections have been created.