We're An Expert Witness and Litigation Support Consulting Firm In The Specialty Field of Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology and Hydraulics.

Or call us: (760) 895-4411

About us

"Flood Forensics is our Forte."

Water Resources Consulting Services, or WRCS, is a civil engineering consulting firm in the field of surface water resources engineering, hydrology and hydraulics (H&H).

We exclusively work in litigation support as Hydrology Expert Witnesses, and have done so for 35 years.
We have municipal, commercial and professional clients across the U.S., Canada and Australia.

What we do

We pride ourselves on our company history of providing unbiased, non-conflicted testimony to both plaintiff and defendant clients.

We are dedicated to helping lawyers, law firms and insurance companies navigate the complex technical world of surface water engineering, and make it understandable to our clients, the judge and the “layman” jury.

No hired guns here.
If there’s problems or weaknesses with your case theory the best thing we can do for you as an expert consultant is to tell you so.

If the technical data backs your case, we will find it, analyze it, model it, report it, and present it with graphics that a judge and jury will understand.

Meet Rick Van Bruggen

Mr. Van Bruggen, President of WRCS, has over 40 years of engineering experience specializing in the use of systems engineering and modeling techniques to define and evaluate surface water resource systems and alternative flood control measures.

He has performed hundreds of studies of surface water hydrologic and hydraulic systems, meteorology, sedimentation, debris production, and the management and statistical analysis of hydrographic data. For over 35 years now, Mr. Van Bruggen has made use of his extensive experience in water resources engineering by serving as an Expert Witness in the field.

Hydrology Expert Witness Services

These are some of the areas of analysis within hydrology and water resources engineering that we have provided expert testimony in:

01

Watershed Hydrology

storm events
historic floods
dam and reservoir operations
meteorologic storm frequency analysis
hydrologic flood frequency analysis

02

Hydraulic Systems Analysis

storm drains
floodplains
irrigation and drainage
Street and Highway

03

Flood Forensic Modeling and Recreations

urban storm drain floods
stream and River flooding
reservoir operations
drowning events
vehicular accidents /
Highway drainage

04

Design, Operation and Maintenance Standards

flood control systems
channel and levee
dam and reservoir
Highway drainage

Representative Cases as Hydrologist Expert Witness

Residential and Municipal Storm Drain System Design Evaluations

Sioux Falls, South Dakjota Flooding
Cumberland, Maryland Flooding

Hydraulic Impact Analysis of Adjacent Projects on Flood Levels

Refinery Impacts on Flood Levels During Hurricane Harvey
Highway Interchange Project Impacts on Flood Levels

Hydraulic Impact Analysis of Bridges on Riverine Flood Levels

San Anselmo Creek New Year’s flood of 2005
Train trestle impact on Winery Flooding

FAQs for Hydrology Expert Witness Services

A Hydrology Expert Witness is a professional with specialized knowledge in hydrology, the science of water flow, watersheds, and the rainfall-runoff process. In legal cases, a Hydrology Expert Witness provides expert testimony and analysis related to water resources, flooding, hydraulic engineering, and other water-related issues. Their expertise is crucial in understanding the technical aspects of cases involving water incidents and offering unbiased opinions based on scientific evidence.

We specialize in various aspects of hydrology and have provided litigation support in hundreds of cases over the years. Our expertise includes:

  • Hydraulic engineering
  • Floodplain analysis
  • Reservoir engineering
  • Dam operations
  • Surface water hydrology
  • Most of the cases we handle involve incidents such as flooding, drowning, and other casualties related to surface water resources systems.

A Hydrology Expert Witness can assist in legal cases by analyzing complex water-related data, offering insights into how water systems function, and determining the causes and impacts of incidents such as floods or water-related accidents. Their testimony can help clarify technical details for the court and support the legal arguments of the case.

Our Hydrology Expert Witnesses hold advanced degrees in hydrology, civil engineering, or related fields and have extensive experience in both academic research and practical applications. Many have also published papers in peer-reviewed journals and have a strong background in hydraulic engineering, floodplain management, public works and other water-related disciplines.

See a list of our featured cases as hydrologist expert witnesses.We typically work on cases involving water-related incidents such as flooding, infrastructure failures involving dams and reservoirs, drowning, and other casualties associated with municipal water resources systems. Our expertise is often sought in cases where understanding the behavior of water systems is critical to the outcome of the litigation. 

When we take on a new case, we start with a thorough review of all available data, including environmental reports, engineering plans, and incident details. We then conduct independent analyses, often using advanced modeling techniques to simulate water movement and impacts. Our findings are compiled into a comprehensive report, which is presented during legal proceedings, along with expert testimony if required.

The timeline for providing expert testimony can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of data. Typically, initial assessments can be completed within a few weeks, with more detailed analysis and testimony prepared as the case progresses. We work closely with legal teams to ensure that our input is timely and aligned with the needs of the case.

Our experts adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics and scientific rigor. We base our findings on verifiable data and established scientific principles, ensuring that our testimony is credible and stands up to scrutiny in legal proceedings.

To engage our services, please contact us to discuss your case. We will conduct an initial consultation to understand your needs and determine how we can best assist you. Following this, we will provide a detailed proposal outlining our approach, timeline, and costs.

Our fees vary depending on the complexity and scope of the case. We provide transparent and competitive pricing, and will offer a detailed fee structure during the initial consultation.

Over 30 Years of Water Hydrology Engineering & Litigation Support

Or call us: (760) 895-4411