When a court case requires an expert in floodplain analysis, a seasoned hydrologist with experience in litigation support can be the key to a comprehensive understanding of the case. At WRCS (Water Resources Consulting Services), we bring over 35 years of unparalleled expertise, offering top-tier professional witness services tailored to meet the unique demands of your case.
Floodplain Analysis:
The experts at WRCS are well-versed in FEMA floodplain regulations and the hydraulic modeling of floodplains, often requiring two-dimensional computer models. Mr. Van Bruggen, as well as other experts in our group, is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM). A credential given by the national Association of State Floodplain Managers open (ASFPM), indicating their professional confidence in floodplain management and knowledge of floodplain regulations.
A floodplain is generally an area of land adjacent to a river that is subject to flooding. (FEMA) defines a floodplain as any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwaters from any source. FEMA regulations dictate the possible land development and uses for areas within a floodplain. Within the floodplain, the main channel of the river, itself, is called the floodway. FEMA has different, more stringent, regulations for the floodway. In addition, FEMA has designated various zones within the floodplain, based upon probability of flooding and level of study. Each of these zones have different land use and development regulations.
Why Choose WRCS?
Decades of Specialized Experience:
We exclusively work in litigation support (Expert Witness Hydrologist) and have done so for 35 years. We have municipal, commercial and professional clients across the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Unbiased and Thorough Analysis:
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.
Comprehensive Coverage:
WRCS covers an extensive range of hydrology-related issues, including but not limited to flooding and flood forensics, flood hydraulics, watershed hydrology, drowning hydraulics, storm drain systems, dam and reservoir operations, floodplain analysis and roadway drainage. Our experts bring a multifaceted understanding of hydrological phenomena to the table, ensuring that no nuance is overlooked in the pursuit of truth.
Meet Rick Van Bruggen
President WRCS
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.
Hydraulic Analysis - Floodplains and Alluvial Fans Consultant
Or call us: (760) 895-4411
Hydraulic Analysis - Floodplains and Alluvial Fans Featured Cases
Case # 1: Oil Refinery’s Impacts of Blocking Floodwaters on Texas Floodplain
Widespread Flooding Occurred Across Much of Brazoria County, Texas, as a Result of Hurricane Harvey. A major oil refinery’s plant expansion project, south of Houston, had eliminated much of the natural floodplain, however, and actions taken by the refinery to dam themselves off from the ensuing floodwaters during the event significantly increased the levels of flooding experienced throughout the region. Massive and highly complex 2-dimensional hydrology and hydraulics models were developed to evaluate the flood impacts of the refinery’s expansion project and floodproofing actions. Mr. Van Bruggen testified on behalf of hundreds of nearby residents in this class-action suit against the oil and chemical company. Client: Arnold Itkin, LLP, and Walston Bowlin, LLP, Houston, Texas.
Case #2: Impact of Dumping Fill Materials in Mendocino County Floodplain
Expert Witness for Liability of City in Flood Damage Litigation, Broadus Creek, City of Willits, Mendocino County, California. Constructed and presented results of floodplain hydraulic model to determine the effects of the city’s dumping of fill materials onto a floodplain and the resultant diversion of flood flows through client’s property. Client: Law Offices of William Van Dennis, Willits, California.
Case #3: Flash Flood on Alluvial Fan Takes Out Bridge
Hydrologic (HEC-HMS) and Hydraulic (HEC_RAS) Modeling of Alluvial Fan and Wash on Historic Route 66, San Bernardino County, California. A greater than 100-year flash flood event in the Mojave Desert washed out a bridge over a desert wash in the middle of the night. A vehicle traveling on old Route 66 later went over the washed out bridge, causing major injuries to the passengers. Mr. Van Bruggen modeled the flash flood hydrology, based on radar rainfall for the event, and created a hydraulic model of the wash and bridge to determine the flood frequency and bridge flow capacity.
Client: CalTrans, Los Angeles District.
Case #4: Alluvial Fan Migration Due to Berm Construction
Thousand Palms, California, a desert residential property was washed out by a monsoonal flash flood in an area that was not previously known for flooding. The long-term hydraulic impacts on streamflow caused by the placement of a sand and dirt berm adjacent on an upstream desert wash channel was evaluated through comparison of flood tracks on historical aerial photos. Client: Law Offices of Aaron Garcia, Rancho Mirage, California.