
Transforming Water Resources Engineering with Fully Integrated Hydrologic Modelling
Traditional water resources engineering has often relied on compartmentalized models that address specific aspects of the hydrological cycle. However, as we navigate through an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges and the increasing complexity of water systems, it has become evident that a more comprehensive and integrated strategy is required.
Fortunately, simulation tools like HydroGeoSphere (HGS) have been rapidly improving, and in the evolving landscape of water resources engineering an integrated approach to hydrologic modelling has emerged as the way of the future!
Benefits
Improved understanding of hydrologic systems
Increase operational efficiency
Promote interdisciplinary collaboration
Enhanced decision support
Minimize uncertainty
Expand your service offerings
Provide exceptional client support
Fully-integrated hydrologic modelling offers a wide range of operational benefits for consulting firms: increased operational efficiency & promote interdisciplinary collaboration by removing the need for distinct surface/groundwater teams/models.
Provide enhanced decision support to your clients via HGSRT – our real-time hydrologic forecasting service – and expand your service offerings.
Improved understanding of hydrologic systems by integrating surface water and groundwater into a unified, tightly-coupled model which supports explicit exchange of water between domains.
Use the Hydraulic Mixing Cell functionality to track the origin and fate of any “tagged” water source within the model (easily disaggregate baseflow, overland flow and direct precipitation).
Minimize uncertainty inherent in empirical modelling techniques by relying on HydroGeoSphere’s physics-based approach to hydrologic modelling.
Provide exceptional client support through polygon tracking which provides precise reporting of lateral and vertical surface and subsurface water flows through areas of any scale, providing you with localized and granular model outputs to support your clients.
Special Projects
Simulation tools like HydroGeoSphere (HGS) have been rapidly improving, and in the evolving landscape of water resources engineering an integrated approach to hydrologic modelling has emerged as the way of the future!
Modelling the Impact of Climate Change in the Athabasca River Basin:
Aquanty partnered with the Canadian Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) to model how climate change could impact the hydrology of Alberta’s Athabasca River Basin. Our high-resolution study predicted hotter, wetter conditions by century’s end—suggesting continued water availability to support reclamation efforts, wetlands, and the boreal ecosystem. This kind of modelling helps industry prepare for future climate extremes and ensure sustainable operations.
A dynamic meshing scheme for integrated hydrologic modelling to represent evolving landscapes:
Aquanty researchers introduced a dynamic meshing scheme to better simulate evolving landscapes in integrated hydrologic models. Implemented within HGS, this novel approach adjusts the model geometry over time— capturing changes like excavation and backfilling in mining operations. A proof-of-concept in Ontario’s Grand River watershed showed that while surface water systems rebound quickly, groundwater systems can experience long-lasting impacts.
Large-scale numerical simulation of groundwater flow and solute transport in discretely-fractured crystalline bedrock:
“A large-scale fluid flow and solute transport model was developed [using HydroGeoSphere] for the crystalline bedrock at Olkiluoto Island, Finland, which is considered as potential deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel.” (Blessent et al., 2011)
Improving precision in regional scale numerical simulations of groundwater flow into underground openings:
A new tunnel boundary condition was developed for HydroGeoSphere to simulate changes to the water table from underground operations. Supports advanced tunnel dewatering simulation by incorporating excavation damage and grouted tunnel zones. Account for time-varying hydraulic conductivity, fracture development, and land surface subsistence.

Let our experts guide you through our cutting-edge technology and demonstrate how our services can address your specific needs.