Advanced 2D Modeling with HEC-RAS and RAS Mapper

This course explores advanced 2D modeling in HEC-RAS and is the second course in our pathway of HEC-RAS courses. This course covers practical two-dimensional flood modeling. Participants will develop 2D model domains, manage terrain and spatial data in RAS Mapper, generate computational meshes, apply spatially varying roughness and infiltration, enter stage and flow time series boundary conditions, select computational options, run sensitivity analyses, and create inundation mapping products. The course emphasizes hands-on model development, troubleshooting, and interpretation of results for real-world floodplain and water resources applications.

Our HEC-RAS pathway of courses is as follows:

Using HEC-RAS to Model Bridges, Culverts, and Floodplains
Advanced 2D Modeling with HEC-RAS and RAS Mapper (this course)
Advanced Hydraulic Structures in HEC-RAS
Rainfall-Runoff Modeling with HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS

It is highly recommended that participants take the first course in the pathway, Using HEC-RAS to Model Bridges, Culverts, and Floodplains, before taking this course; however, it is not required.

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Who Should Attend?

Engineers, hydrologists, floodplain managers, consultants, agency reviewers, planners, and technical staff who prepare, review, or use hydraulic models.
Professionals involved in floodplain studies, transportation hydraulics, stormwater planning, emergency action planning, resilience work, or infrastructure review.
Consultants and technical professionals performing hydraulic studies or regulatory submittals.
Government agency staff and planners responsible for flood risk assessment, permitting, or infrastructure review.
All participants who have taken other HEC-RAS Courses in our HEC-RAS pathway of courses at UW-Madison

What You Will Learn

Explain when 2D HEC-RAS modeling is appropriate and how it complements 1D approaches.
Prepare terrain, projection, land cover, soils, imagery, and other spatial datasets in RAS Mapper.
Create 2D flow areas, define breaklines and refinement regions, and generate computational meshes.
Apply spatially varying Manning roughness, infiltration, and other surface characteristics.
Enter stage and flow time series boundary conditions for unsteady 2D simulations.
Select computational settings, run plans, and set up targeted sensitivity analyses.
Use RAS Mapper to interrogate, troubleshoot, map, and export model results.

Course Details: RA00156-E434

This course is offered online:

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 3-5 hours per week on the course.
This format offers significant flexibility for working professionals and can accommodate a variety of schedules.

Online Course Schedule (Offered over 6 weeks)

Week 1, Topic 1: Introduction and 2D Model Setup
Week 2, Topic 2: RAS Mapper for Terrain Modification and Spatial Data Management
Week 3, Topic 3: Generating 2D Meshes and Spatially Varying Parameters
Week 4, Topic 4: Boundary Conditions for Stage and Flow Time Series
Week 5, Topic 5: Computational Options, Plan Runs, and Sensitivity Analyses
Week 6, Topic 6: Interrogating, Troubleshooting, and Exporting Results in RAS Mapper

Topics covered over the 6 week course:

Introduction and 2D Model Setup

Moving from 1D fundamentals to 2D model development

When 2D modeling is appropriate and when simpler approaches may be sufficient
Overview of 2D flow areas, computational meshes, breaklines, and boundary condition types
Review of prerequisite HEC-RAS concepts from the foundational course
Project setup, projection files, terrain selection, and model organization
Common 2D modeling mistakes and quality control checkpoints

RAS Mapper for Terrain Modification and Spatial Data Management

Building the spatial foundation for defensible models

Terrain creation, terrain association, and terrain modification concepts
Using RAS Mapper as a GIS tool for spatial data organization
Managing projections, land cover, soils, imagery, and vector data
Terrain edits for roads, levees, channels, embankments, and hydraulic controls
Data documentation and version control for reproducible model setup

Generating 2D Meshes and Spatially Varying Parameters

Representing the model domain with appropriate resolution and roughness

Creating 2D flow areas and base computational meshes
Using breaklines, refinement regions, and variable cell spacing
Assigning spatially varying Manning roughness values from land cover
Representing infiltration and other surface characteristics when appropriate
Mesh quality review, stability considerations, and balancing run time with accuracy

Boundary Conditions for Stage and Flow Time Series

Entering and checking unsteady hydraulic inputs

Selecting upstream, downstream, lateral, and internal boundary condition types
Entering hydrographs, stage time series, normal depth, rating curve, and other boundary conditions
Developing reasonable initial conditions and warm-up periods
Reviewing hydrograph timing, units, and stability implications
Hands-on exercise applying boundary conditions to a 2D domain

Computational Options, Plan Runs, and Sensitivity Analyses

Controlling model runs and comparing alternative assumptions

Selecting time step, mapping interval, computational method, and tolerances
Understanding Courant number, stability, and run-time tradeoffs
Creating plans for base case and sensitivity analyses
Testing mesh resolution, roughness, infiltration, boundary conditions, and terrain assumptions
Interpreting warnings, errors, notes, and run messages

Interrogating, Troubleshooting, and Exporting Results in RAS Mapper

Turning model output into useful engineering deliverables

Creating depth, velocity, water surface elevation, arrival time, and inundation maps
Using profiles, time series, point queries, and map layers to investigate results
Diagnosing dry cells, instabilities, unexpected flow paths, and unrealistic velocities
Exporting maps, rasters, shapefiles, tables, and documentation products
Final wrap-up, model review checklist, questions and answers, and next steps

Course materials and resources will be distributed through Canvas. Participants should access Canvas after receiving their NetID and watch the email address used during registration for material release dates and pre-course instructions.
Participants should confirm access before the first live session, check with their IT department if needed, and monitor spam or junk folders for messages from wisc.edu addresses.

Instructor
Krey Price
Director
Krey Price is a civil engineer specializing in water resources. Krey is based in Perth, Australia, where he provides consulting and training services in flood modeling. Krey has a master’s degree in hydraulic and coastal engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Krey’s thirty-year career has included modeling, design, and project management for international flood mitigation projects.
Program Director
Adib Amini

Participants will complete hands-on workshops using the current version of HEC-RAS and RAS Mapper.

A Windows laptop is required. Participants should install required software before the first session and confirm that they can open the workshop files.

All students will need a Windows laptop that has:

A high-speed internet connection
HEC-RAS, current version
Microsoft Excel
Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF reader

Total Credits:

CEU 2.1,

PDH 21,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Advanced 2D Modeling with HEC-RAS and RAS Mapper

2027 and later

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA00156-E434

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Course Administration

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