Using HEC-RAS to Model Bridges, Culverts, and Floodplains

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

• Concepts of open channel flow and floodplain hydraulics
• Energy principles
• Flow resistance equations
• Momentum concepts

HEC-RAS Modeling - Geometry

• Geometric and flow data
• Program options
• Sources of data

Developing a Geometry Model with HEC-RAS: Workshop

• Starting HEC-RAS
• Steps in developing a hydraulic model
• Starting a new project
• Entering geometric data
• Entering steady flow data
• Performing the hydraulic computations
• Viewing and printing results
• Getting and using help

HEC-RAS Modeling: Flow Data, Compute Profiles, and View Results

• Define steady-flow data and boundary conditions
• Perform hydraulic computations
• View graphics and tables

Calculation of Water Surface Profiles: Workshop

• How to enter data into HEC-RAS
• How to perform the hydraulic computations
• Viewing results

Review Workshop

• Viewing results
• Cross-section plots
• Profile plot
• X-Y-Z plot
• Summary tables
• Errors, warnings, and notes
• Output review for workshop

Geometry Options

• Multiple plan analysis
• Optional friction loss equations
• Cross-section interpolation
• Mixed flow regime calculations
• Modeling stream junctions
• Flow distribution calculations

Bridge Modeling with HEC-RAS

• Nature of flow through bridges
• Components of bridge losses
• Cross-section locations
• Defining ineffective flow areas
• Contraction and expansion losses

HEC-RAS Bridge Input-Output

• Entering and editing bridge data
• Defining a bridge modeling approach
• Bridge modeling options
• Example bridge application
• Pertinent bridge output

Day 2

Bridge Modeling Workshop

• Entering and editing bridge data
• Performing bridge hydraulic computations
• Reviewing pertinent results

Bridge Workshop Review

• Overview of Culvert Hydraulics
• Definition of terms
• Input requirements
• Cross-section locations
• Ineffective flow areas
• Expansion and contraction coefficients
• Inlet control
• Outlet control
• Solution logic

Culvert Modeling with HEC-RAS

• Cross-section locations
• Multiple culvert options
• Program output

Culvert Modeling Workshop

• Entering and editing culvert data
• Culvert modeling options
• Example culvert applications

Day 3

RAS Mapper 

• RAS Mapper Overview
• Setting the projection file
• Adding a terrain model
• Preprocessing 1D elements
• Viewing results in RAS Mapper

2-D Basics in HEC-RAS 

• Principles of quasi-steady flow modeling
• Adding a 2D area
• Manning's "n" values for 2D areas
• Entering flow data for 2D areas
• Running a 2D model and reviewing results

RAS Mapper and 2D Workshop

• Set the projection file and create terrain
• Create a 2D area
• Run the 2D model and review results

Output Review and Analysis

• How to interpret HEC-RAS output messages (errors, warnings, and notes)
• Diagnosing common data input mistakes
• Using the HEC-RAS "log file" to understand more about the computations and possible problems

HEC-RAS Output Analysis Workshop

• Analyze HEC-RAS output
• Resolve data model errors

The class includes lectures and hands-on computer workshops that will give you a solid understanding of the theory behind the model as well as a practical ability to work the model effectively. We will use the current version of HEC-RAS.  In addition to the program itself, you’ll receive valuable resources and references.    

For either the on-line or in-person course, you will need a windows laptop that has:

• A high-speed internet connection
• Adobe Acrobat Reader or other reader to be able to open and read PDFs
• Microsoft Excel

Click here to get information on all of our HEC-RAS related courses.

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

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 their 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

  Adib Amini

• Instructor

  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. 

When two people from the same employer sign up, the course fee is $1,295.00 per person.                                                                                         
When three or more people from the same employer sign up, the course fee is $1,245 per person. 

10% Discount for Madison City and Dane County Water Utilities employees. Your department affiliation will be verified.

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 interpro@union.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 interpro@union.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.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll in a substitute course at any time before this course starts.