Modeling and GIS

Our hydrologic engineering experience includes developing new site-specific probable maximum flood (PMF) values and analyzing existing PMF conditions for dozens of projects throughout North America. We routinely revise flood frequency estimates for sites and apply hypothetical rainfall distributions in our hydrologic models. Our hydraulic engineers regularly perform hydraulic modeling and dam breach analyses to determine Inflow Design Flood (IDF) levels and hazard classifications. Our staff has completed hundreds of emergency action plans, dam breach studies, and inundation mapping projects.

By combining hydrologic models and hydraulic modeling, we help clients understand how the amount of runoff that enters rivers impacts their specific site locations. The results of the combined hydrologic and hydraulic models allow engineers to relay how the changes could impact operating procedures, generation capacity, or compliance adherence.

Our Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) utilizes software programs such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HEC-ResSim, HECSSP, HEC-DSSVue and our proprietary software McBreach.

Learn more about McBreach Software

Kleinschmidt’s GIS team uses state of the art production mapping techniques to identify efficiencies when drawing complicated technical map sets using both ESRI ArcGIS Pro 2.x and ArcMap 10.x. While producing maps, Kleinschmidt’s analysts adhere to cartographic design principles so that we always produce crisp, clean, and professional mapping products for our clients.

Projects often require spatial data analysis beyond a simple map and overlay. Our GIS specialists routinely analyze complex spatial data in ArcGIS Pro 2.x, ArcMap 10.x, to provide our clients with actionable intelligence ranging across a diverse multidisciplinary landscape.

With the advent of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and smaller, lighter, and less costly imagery sensors, remotely sensed data has become ubiquitous. The use of this data for natural resources mapping and as a source of input data for environmental process modeling and landscape ecology applications will transform environmental management in the 21st century.

Kleinschmidt’s remote sensing team has the capability to incorporate data from a number of sensors, extract useful information, and deliver powerful insights with state-of-the-art software and analytical methods. Our remote sensing projects have saved our clients time and money as expensive, large team surveys are no longer required to assess the same area.

The effects of more frequent episodes of extreme weather, changes in water resource availability, and climate variability on infrastructure, municipalities, ecosystems, wildlife, fisheries and human well-being have become apparent, particularly over the past decade. We can no longer focus solely on the effects of projects on the environment—whether the project is the construction of an energy production facility or development of a habitat restoration enhancement— but we must consider the effects of a changing environment on developments, cities, structures, watersheds, and terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Our scientists, engineers, and planners can help you assess risks and potential vulnerabilities in your project in the context of climate change, identify and evaluate alternatives, and design sustainable solutions to maintain the efficiency and longevity of your project. We have the experience to develop adaptive plans and strategies to minimize risk in response to new challenges that arise as the environment around us continues to change.