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Course Outline
Note that the course is offered in two different formats:
Our fully Online format:
- Offered over 6 weeks, with pre-recorded content, exercises, and a 1.5 hour Live session each week.
- A recording will be made available of the live session for those who cannot attend.
- Participants should expect to spend 2-4 hours per week on the course.
- This format offers significant flexibility for working professionals and can accommodate a variety of schedules.
Our HyFlex format is offered in “Madison, WI or Live Online”
- This format is offered Live over 3 consecutive days from 9am-5pm Central Time
- Participants must select whether they will attend In-Person (in Madison, WI) or online.
- For those who wish to review content after the course, pre-recorded content will be made available for approximately 1 month after the 3-day session concludes (We are unable to provide a recording of the 3-day session itself).
Online Course Schedule (Offered over 6 weeks)
- Week 1, Topic 1: River Modeling Basic Concepts and Geometry Data
- Week 2, Topic 2: Flow Data and HEC-RAS Modeling
- Week 3, Topic 3: Bridge Modeling Using HEC-RAS
- Week 4, Topic 4: Culvert Modeling Using HEC-RAS
- Week 5, Topic 5: Introduction to RAS Mapper and 2D Modeling
- Week 6, Topic 6: Output Review and Analysis
HyFlex (In-person and Online) Course Schedule (Offered over 3 consecutive days)
Day 1
- Calculating Water Surface Profiles
o Concepts of open channel flow and floodplain hydraulics
o Energy principles
o Flow resistance equations
o Momentum concepts
- HEC-RAS Modeling - Geometry
o Geometric and flow data
o Program options
o Sources of data
- Developing a Geometry Model with HEC-RAS: Workshop
o Starting HEC-RAS
o Steps in developing a hydraulic model
o Starting a new project
o Entering geometric data
o Entering steady flow data
o Performing the hydraulic computations
o Viewing and printing results
o Getting and using help
- HEC-RAS Modeling: Flow Data, Compute Profiles, and View Results
o Define steady-flow data and boundary conditions
o Perform hydraulic computations
o View graphics and tables
- Calculation of Water Surface Profiles: Workshop
o How to enter data into HEC-RAS
o How to perform the hydraulic computations
o Viewing results
- Review Workshop
o Viewing results
o Cross-section plots
o Profile plot
o X-Y-Z plot
o Summary tables
o Errors, warnings, and notes
o Output review for workshop
- Geometry Options
o Multiple plan analysis
o Optional friction loss equations
o Cross-section interpolation
o Mixed flow regime calculations
o Modeling stream junctions
o Flow distribution calculations
- Bridge Modeling with HEC-RAS
o Nature of flow through bridges
o Components of bridge losses
o Cross-section locations
o Defining ineffective flow areas
o Contraction and expansion losses
- HEC-RAS Bridge Input-Output
o Entering and editing bridge data
o Defining a bridge modeling approach
o Bridge modeling options
o Example bridge application
o Pertinent bridge output
Day 2
- Bridge Modeling Workshop
o Entering and editing bridge data
o Performing bridge hydraulic computations
o Reviewing pertinent results
- Bridge Workshop Review
o Overview of Culvert Hydraulics
o Definition of terms
o Input requirements
o Cross-section locations
o Ineffective flow areas
o Expansion and contraction coefficients
o Inlet control
o Outlet control
o Solution logic
- Culvert Modeling with HEC-RAS
o Cross-section locations
o Multiple culvert options
o Program output
- Culvert Modeling Workshop
o Entering and editing culvert data
o Culvert modeling options
o Example culvert applications
Day 3
- RAS Mapper
o RAS Mapper Overview
o Setting the projection file
o Adding a terrain model
o Preprocessing 1D elements
o Viewing results in RAS Mapper
- 2-D Basics in HEC-RAS
o Principles of quasi-steady flow modeling
o Adding a 2D area
o Manning's "n" values for 2D areas
o Entering flow data for 2D areas
o Running a 2D model and reviewing results
- RAS Mapper and 2D Workshop
o Set the projection file and create terrain
o Create a 2D area
o Run the 2D model and review results
- Output Review and Analysis
o How to interpret HEC-RAS output messages (errors, warnings, and notes)
o Diagnosing common data input mistakes
o Using the HEC-RAS "log file" to understand more about the computations and possible problems
- HEC-RAS Output Analysis Workshop
o Analyze HEC-RAS output
o Resolve data model errors
Course Schedule
Registration Date/Time:
7/22/2025 8:0am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 7/22/2025 8:30am - 5:30pm Central Time
- 7/23/2025 8:30am - 5:30pm Central Time
- 7/24/2025 8:30am - 5:30pm Central Time
Location
Venue
Accommodations
Room: rates start at 170
Group Code:
Reserve by: Jun. 20, 2025
Accommodations include:
Additional Information
This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for ONE teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us if you have any questions or if you need to make a change.
This course uses the Canvas web platform to distribute course materials and resources. ALL students should access the Canvas platform once they receive thier NetID. Please watch the email address you provide during registration for material release dates and pre-course information.
If you use a workplace computer or laptop, you may not have administrative access to our website. Please check if you can access it before the first day of class. Check with your IT Dept to gain access or use a private computer. Please check your spam file if you do not receive emails from the "@wisc.edu" address.
Program Director & Instructors
Program Director
Adib Amini
Christopher Goodell
Principal Consultant
Chris Goodell is the Principal Consultant for H&H at Kleinschmidt Associates and works out of the Portland Oregon office. He is a registered professional engineer and diplomate of water resources engineering. Chris has over 28 years of experience in water resources engineering with a specialization in computational hydraulics and probabilistic modeling, and teaching HEC-RAS to professionals and students around the world. He is a former developer of HEC-RAS and is the author of the blog The RAS Solution, the book “Breaking the HEC-RAS Code, and co-host of the Full Momentum podcast.” Chris has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in hydraulic engineering from IHE Delft in The Netherlands.