Connecting water insights to design for today and tomorrow
Building Smarter Models. Supporting Decisions. Connecting Data to Action.
BSC's Water Resources team delivers hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, infrastructure planning, and engineering design to help municipalities, agencies, and asset owners make confident decisions. We build advanced models, support clients through funding strategy and permitting, and connect technical analysis to implementable design, from early screening through construction.
The need is urgent. Heavier rainstorms, sea-level rise, and aging stormwater infrastructure are outpacing the systems communities rely on, while evolving regulations and limited budgets demand faster, more transparent technical work.
BSC brings the modeling depth, design capability, and regulatory knowledge to help clients plan for climate uncertainty and meet that moment.
Integrated Water Resources Planning and Design
We build advanced hydrologic and hydraulic models, support data-driven planning and design, and connect science and technology with real-world engineering.
Our integrated approach keeps modeling, design, environmental, and regulatory considerations aligned from the start. Our commitment to innovation drives our use of high-resolution 1D/2D modeling tools such as HEC-RAS, PCSWMM, SRH-2D, and TELEMAC, combined with automated AI-driven workflows, scalable cloud computing for large-scale simulations, and custom web tools and GIS dashboards.
Together, these help clients understand complex water-related risks and translate results into clear, actionable information.
We turn models into action. We compare alternatives using transparent methods, evaluate risks and costs, and help clients set priorities around the outcomes that matter most. We align technical analysis with funding and permitting pathways, providing submittal-ready materials and public-facing visuals.
Our team then carries this work forward into concept and preliminary design, incorporating nature-based and low-impact solutions where they reduce risk, lower long-term costs, or accelerate project timelines.
One integrated team, proven innovation, and decision-ready outputs — so projects move smoothly toward design and implementation.
BSC Inland Flood Risk Model for Massachusetts
One of BSC’s core tools is its Statewide Inland Flood Model of Massachusetts, a high-resolution model that maps flood depths and extents for every community in the state under current conditions and future climate horizons (2050 and 2070) across multiple return periods.
Built on Massachusetts-specific precipitation and geospatial data at 10-meter resolution, the model captures riverine and surface flooding, giving municipalities, agencies, and asset owners immediate access to flood risk information without the cost or timeline of a project-specific study. That means planning, permitting, and vulnerability screening can begin immediately.
An interactive viewer allows users to see how inland flood exposure is projected to change across Massachusetts, comparing the regulatory 1% floodplain with current and 2070 inundation projections for roads, buildings, critical facilities, and Environmental Justice block groups in each community.
Select a community to explore local results.
Representative Services
We support clients from early risk assessment through infrastructure design and implementation.
Modeling & Risk Analysis
- Inland flood modeling (1D/2D) to inform mitigation strategies, design criteria, and project phasing.
- Coastal surge and tidal flooding analysis (1D/2D) to guide shoreline, harbor, and transportation corridor resilience.
- Stormwater system modeling from site to watershed scale to optimize pipes, storage, and low-impact development retrofits.
- Sediment transport and erosion modeling to protect channels, crossings, and sensitive habitats.
Infrastructure Planning & Design
- Culvert and bridge sizing or redesign to reduce roadway closures, improve conveyance, and meet current design standards.
- Climate-resilient flood mitigation design and watershed-scale strategy from concept through final design and construction plans, translating analysis into implementable projects.
- Climate adaptation planning and alternatives analysis to identify cost-effective nature-based and engineered solutions.
- Dam removal and river restoration planning, permitting, and design to restore natural hydrology, and enhance aquatic habitat.
Decision Support & Implementation
- Vulnerability and criticality assessments to prioritize assets, corridors, and neighborhoods.
- GIS dashboards and reporting that communicate results clearly using industry-standard methodologies.
- Custom web applications tailored to client workflows for exploring scenarios, tracking projects, and sharing data.
- Grant-ready technical materials aligned with funding programs to accelerate review and award decisions.
- Stormwater infrastructure assessment, asset inventory, and system performance evaluation.
Nahad Helmi, PhD, Water Resources Lead/Product Manager
Dr. Nahad Helmi led the development of BSC’s Statewide Inland Flood Model for Massachusetts. He is a Senior Water Resources Specialist and Product Manager with more than a decade of experience in flood modeling, hydrodynamic analysis, and climate resilience planning. Nahad specializes in 2D hydrodynamic modeling, flood inundation analysis, and AI-driven automation of environmental modeling workflows.
Contact Nahad at nhelmi@bscgroup.com.
Kathryn Eagan, PE, Senior Transportation Engineer
Kathryn is a professional engineer delivering transportation infrastructure projects including roadways, bridges, culverts, and shared-use paths. Her work spans stormwater and drainage system design, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, utilities design, and accessibility improvements.
Contact Kathryn at keagan@bscgroup.com.