Build cutting-edge hydrologic models

Using the world’s most powerful integrated hydrologic modelling platform for coupled groundwater and surface water simulations.

HydroGeoSphere (HGS)

A hydrologic simulation engine for water resources engineers that integrates all key components of the terrestrial water cycle, seamlessly tracking the movement of water between surface water, soil water, and groundwater systems with a physics based numerical approach. As a fully physics-driven platform, HGS is the best modelling tool to evaluate the impact and risk associated with climate change for water resources.

Fully integrated & tightly-coupled surface-groundwater models

A HydroGeoSphere surface-groundwater model

The HydroGeoSphere (HGS) platform integrates various aspects of the hydrological cycle, and can simulate processes like evaporation, transpiration, and snowmelt. HGS uses a physics-based approach to simulate all terrestrial components of the hydrologic cycle.

In addition to 3-dimensional variably saturated groundwater flow, HGS supports a wide range of interoperable capabilities including flow through discrete fracture networks and support for 1-dimensional hydraulic infrastructure, time-varying material properties & pore-water freeze/thaw, reactive solute transport, density dependent flow, thermal energy transport, particle tracing and much more.

Next-Generation Hydrologic Simulations with Solute Transport

In the evolving landscape of water resources engineering an integrated approach to hydrologic modelling using HydroGeoSphere has emerged as the way of the future!

Improved Understanding of Hydrologic Systems

Through explicit simulation of groundwater and surface water exchange, HydroGeoSphere provides insights into crucial processes like groundwater recharge, baseflow contributions to streamflow, and the impacts of groundwater withdrawals on surface water resources. Start making more informed decisions regarding water allocation, ecosystem management, and sustainable development practices.

HGSRT - Aquanty’s decision support system (DSS) showing water depth & streamflow forecasts

Enhanced Decision Support

HGSRT - Aquanty’s DSS showing water depth & streamflow forecasts

HydroGeoSphere is the engine that powers a full suite of web-based decision support systems (DSS) to enhance water resources decision making & hydrologic forecasting for flood and drought management. Physics-based simulations are the best possible method for modelling hydrologic systems under a changing climate over short and long-term forecast timelines.

Hydro-Climatic Modelling of the Grand River Watershed

Climate Change Resilience

Hydro-Climatic Modelling of the Grand River Watershed

Build resilience to climate change impacts with HydroGeoSphere's adaptive modelling tools. Analyze the effects of changing climate patterns on water resources, infrastructure, and community resilience, while facilitating proactive adaptation measures.

Canada1Water is Aquanty’s flagship project for climate change impact analysis at the continental scale.

  • 3D variably saturated groundwater flow

  • 2D overland flow

  • 2D variably saturated fracture flow

  • 1D hydraulic features

HydroGeoSphere Key Capabilities

  • Reactive solute transport

  • Density dependent flow

  • Time-varying properties

  • Winter processes

The HGS Process

Layers of a Conceptual Model

01

Develop a Conceptual Model

Establish the geographical area or watershed of interest where you'd like to simulate the water cycle and develop a conceptual model reflecting the actual physical characteristics of the system and the physical processes driving water flow in the region.

The HGS Advantage

A physics-based approach simplifies conceptualization of boundary conditions. A key design principle for integrated modelling is to force the model what the precipitation and climatology, and then let the model tell you where the water goes.

A 3D HydroGeoSphere (HGS) Mesh

02

Create a 3D Mesh

Construct a detailed digital representation of the terrain, subsurface geology and relevant hydraulic infrastructure, ensuring that the mesh conforms to areas/features of interest.

The HGS Advantage

Watershed scale modelling simplifies the conceptualization of boundary conditions; build an accurate mesh with detailed topography & bathymetry and watch as HGS accurately models the distribution of lakes, streams & rivers.

A Parameterized HGS Model

03

Parameterize Your Model

Integrate various data sources such as soil surveys, land use data, crop information and hydraulic properties to define HGS's system of tightly-coupled governing equations.

The HGS Advantage

With support for a wide range of time-varying material parameters you can easily accommodate processes like pore-water freeze thaw, crop growth and river ice.

HG Model performance and sensitivity example

04

Calibrate Against Historical Data

Compare simulated hydrology against observation data and adjust model parameters to ensure that model outputs can accurately recreate historical conditions.

The HGS Advantage

As a fully-integrated model HGS supports multi-variate calibration using all available observation data including groundwater levels, stream flow, soil moisture & evapotranspiration rates, ensuring that the model accurately recreates hydrology in all domains.

HGS Scenario Analysis, influence of change in precipitation on the depth-to-water table distribution.

05

Perform Scenario Analysis

You are now ready to apply the model to water resources challenges, whether it be climate change impact analyses, testing the impact of engineered designs & watershed management practices on local hydrology, or evaluating the consequences of potential contaminant releases to the environment.

The HGS Advantage

A physics-based approach to hydrologic modelling minimizes the uncertainty associated with traditional/empirical modelling techniques and is known to produce more accurate simulations even in regions with very little/sparse observational & borehole data.

Applications