O’Connor Environmental, Inc.

Geomorphology ▪ Hydrology ▪ Engineering Geology

P.O. Box 794, Healdsburg, CA 95448    (707) 431-2810   

Office Location: 447 Hudson St.          Mailing Address: PO Box 794,  Healdsburg, CA   95448                        Ph (707) 431-2810       Fax (707) 473-9050   

Modeling

Floodplain inundation depths and shear-stress distributions generated from a 2-dimensional hydraulic modeling analysis.

Numerical hydrologic, hydraulic, and sediment transport models are powerful tools for characterizing existing site conditions and for evaluating the impacts of historical or proposed infrastructure or landscape-level changes.  OEI staff are well-versed in the development of numerical models ranging in complexity from simple lumped-parameter conceptual models to complex physically-based distributed models.   Some typical modeling applications include evaluating the impacts of timber harvests or vineyard conversions, evaluating alternative designs for habitat restoration projects or flood hazard mitigation studies, and performing water supply investigations taking into account surface water groundwater interactions and/or the impacts of future changes in climate.

Numerical models have a strong role to play in the design process as they allow alternative designs to be tested prior to implementation potentially resulting in improvements to final design configurations  and/or substantial cost savings.  With the recent development of Regional Climate Models and advancement in statistical downscaling techniques for Global Climate Model data, numerical hydrologic models provide a means of investigating the impacts of climate change and assisting water managers in developing climate change adaptation strategies.

One of the basic principles of modeling is that a model is only as good as the data behind it.  OEI takes this principle to heart and strives to combine high-quality field data collection efforts and the integration of GIS data and techniques in the development of our models in order to deliver comprehensive and accurate modeling solutions to our clients.  Specific model codes that OEI staff have worked with include HEC-RAS, MODFLOW, HSPF, GSSHA, MIKE SHE, MIKE 11, MIKE 21, and MT3DMS among others.

Hydraulic heads simulated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ GSSHA model for the South Fork of the Gualala River, CA.

Home | Our Services | Modeling | Fluvial Geomorphology | Hydrology | Engineering Geology | GIS | Regulatory Permits | Watershed Science | Contact Our Staff