Surface

Instructional Videos

Please visit our updated Instructional Videos page at hydroschool.org/tutorials/.

All continuing education resources previously listed at surfacewater.biz has moved to hydroschool.org; going forward, the surfacewater.biz website will be dedicated to drainage-related consulting work only.

Our YouTube channel provides free instructional videos in conjunction with the RAS Solution blogSubscribe to our YouTube channel to receive updates when additional videos are posted.

[Disclaimer: The models we cover in these videos are intended to quickly demonstrate a few basic functions in HEC-RAS. Sign up for our online or face-to-face courses to dive into further details. To keep things simple, the models in the videos run in a few seconds; a decent flood model will typically take hours or even days of computational time – and that’s after hours or days of setup time and then followed by days more to troubleshoot and run sensitivities. These preliminary models are just for fun and not necessarily any reasonable depiction of reality; as we always say in our courses, just because it gives you a pretty picture doesn’t mean it’s right – or even remotely meaningful!]

Below are some of the videos we’ve put together so for our ongoing hydraulic modelling video series. Let us know if you have suggested topics you’d like us to cover next!

What’s new in HEC-RAS 6.0

Our latest video series highlights selected features in the new beta release of HEC-RAS 6.0.

Part 1: 3D Viewer

Part 2: Google Earth 3D, RASter Calculator, and energy elevation plots

Part 3: Flood hazard, difference/afflux maps, and indicative rip rap sizing

Part 4: New terrain modification tools

Part 5: Polygon modification layers

HEC-RAS Hollywood Trilogy Episode 1: Tsunamis and dam breaches in disaster movies

HEC-RAS Basics

The prequel: Getting started

 Part 1: Creating a 1D geometry in RAS Mapper:
(click here for accompanying article and webinar recording)

Part 2: 2D mesh refinement areas:

Part 3: Internal boundary conditions setup:

Part 5: Variable time steps:

Part 6: New culvert options:

Part 7: Rating curves:

Follow along with our video instructions below to modify your own digital elevation model:

Click here for further instructions and examples of terrain modification in HEC-RAS.

Here’s a video covering internal vs. external boundary conditions:

Here’s a video about using RAS Mapper as a GIS tool to georeference static aerial imagery and hard copy maps:

Here’s an introduction to our 2018 Munich course that includes building a mile-high dam across the Alps and severing Denmark from Europe with a big ol’ canal, creating Legoland Island in the process!
[This one’s in German – to see the translation, view the video on YouTube and scroll down to the description]

And here’s another one that was just for fun as an introduction to one of our 2018 courses in New Zealand:

Here are some of the crazy models around the world (and out of this world) that I presented at the inaugural HEC-RAS pub & grub:

Of course we’d love to have you join us for face-to-face training to learn about the new features in depth, but for those unable to travel to a course, we also offer interactive online courses through the Australian Water School. More details here.

Upcoming videos:

First principles:

Consulting Services

Need help setting up, reviewing, or troubleshooting flood models? We also offer drainage designs, surface water management plans, flood mapping, impact assessment, flood mitigation, hydraulics structures design, QA/QC, and more. See our consulting services for details or book consulting hours.

Training Services

We provide in-person and online professional development training for water-related disciplines. Visit hydroschool.org and register your interest for a course in your area or to request customised training. Sign up for H&H Essentials, HEC-RAS, or other on-demand online courses, or view our instructional videos, webinars, and articles. View our feedback here.

Links and Downloads

Read our latest newsletters, subscribe to our YouTube channel or subscribe to our e-mail list for industry updates and articles, including megafloodsriprap sizingHydraulics 101rating curvesrecreational featuresARR, and our recent webinar addressing humanitarian crises: How can I help?