- Aquaveo: Aquaveo offers software for groundwater, surface water, watershed and water distribution modeling, including tools for groundwater flow and transport, coastal and riverine environments, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, stormwater management and groundwater data management.
- CivilGEO: CivilGEO offers software for designing, analyzing and reviewing stormwater models, as well as building one and two dimensional HEC-RAS models.
- Computational Hydraulics International: Computational Hydraulics International offers PCSWMM, a spatial decision support system for modeling stormwater, wastewater, watershed and water distribution systems.
- FLO-2D Software: FLO-2D offers FLO-2D Pro, a two dimensional flood routing model for overland and channel flow studies.
- HydroCAD Software Solutions: HydroCAD is a computer aided design tool for civil engineers modeling stormwater runoff.
- Hydrology Studio: Hydrology Studio offers standalone stormwater design software for civil and environmental engineers.
How to choose
Start with the projects your firm actually delivers. A drainage design team may need pipe network analysis and plan outputs, while a flood study team may need rainfall-runoff modeling, catchment mapping, and two-dimensional flow analysis. Check that the software supports your project types, design criteria, and required deliverables. Ask for a sample project using conditions similar to yours.
Fit matters. A small firm may need straightforward licensing and a short setup process. A larger firm may need shared project files, user controls, and support for several offices. Read the contract closely. Confirm whether licenses are assigned to people or devices, what happens when staff leave, and whether you can reduce seats at renewal. Check renewal dates, cancellation notice, data export rights, and fees for support or upgrades.
Test how the software works with your current tools for CAD, GIS, spreadsheets, and document storage. Ask what data can move in and out, which formats are supported, and whether staff must repeat work by hand. Then estimate the training load. Request a trial or demonstration for the people who will use it, including junior staff. A good fit should be usable after realistic onboarding, not just a polished sales demo.
For regulated work, confirm that the software's methods and outputs meet the requirements of the states and local agencies where you practice. Approval rules vary. Ask for documentation and examples of accepted submissions, and verify requirements with the relevant agency before relying on a claim.
Speak with references from firms of similar size and project mix. Ask how the software performs on routine work, how support handles errors, and what they would check before signing. Look for specific answers.
- What license terms, renewal conditions, cancellation notice, and data export rights apply?
- Which project types, modeling methods, and deliverables does this product support?
- How does it exchange data with our current CAD, GIS, and spreadsheet tools?
- What training, setup, and ongoing support will our staff need?
- Can you connect us with references from firms like ours and provide relevant state or agency approval documentation?
Listings are editorial and free. No company paid to appear, and a listing is not an endorsement. Every listing links only to the company's own website, which we checked when building this directory. Companies can request corrections or removal at Richard@FamilyBusinesses.com.
