Hydrau-tech Engineering, Inc

What Hydrau-tech Engineering, Inc does

Hydrau-Tech, Inc. is a privately held engineering consulting firm founded in 1986 and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The firm specializes in open channel hydraulics, watershed and reservoir sedimentation, environmental river mechanics, river geomorphology, and scour analysis, with operating history in more than 30 countries. Its service portfolio spans flood emergency response, scour critical bridge studies (Plan of Action studies), dams/weirs/hydropower systems, irrigation structures, geotechnical engineering, institutional strengthening, and GIS/drone inspection services.

The firm's technical core is a suite of proprietary numerical modeling software developed since 1986, most notably BRI-STARS (a generalized semi-two-dimensional water and sediment-routing model built for the Federal Highway Administration) and GSTARS (a stream tube model developed for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation). Supporting tools include SedWin (sediment transport computation across 12 transport equations), SedBase (4,574 sediment transport data sets across flume and field sources), R-View (a visual Manning's roughness selection guide), and a finite element surface flow model. These products are used internally on consulting projects and are licensed to clients.

Hydrau-Tech generates revenue through two streams: project-based engineering consulting services to government agencies and large infrastructure operators, and software licensing/customization. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base is concentrated in government entities, with the Colorado Department of Transportation as the dominant recurring anchor, supplemented by federal agencies (FHWA, USBR, EPA, NPS), international development organizations (USAID, World Bank), and a small set of enterprise clients (Pacific Gas and Electric, Yellow River Commission). Distribution is direct, with no resellers, and go-to-market relies on technical qualifications, past performance credentials, conference presence, and referrals within the public-sector engineering procurement ecosystem.

Name

Hydrau-tech Engineering, Inc

Legal name

Hydrau-Tech, Inc.

Website

https://hydrau-tech.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hydrau-Tech is a Fort Collins, Colorado-based engineering consulting firm that provides specialized sediment transport modeling, bridge scour analysis, and hydraulic engineering services, supported by proprietary software (BRI-STARS, GSTARS), primarily to U.S. state DOTs, federal agencies, and international development organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydraulic Engineering Consulting

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydraulic Modeling & System Optimization (Calibration, Minimum Night Flow, Demand Analysis) (EUANAKAM), Hydropower EPC & Construction (Civil Works, Electromechanical) (EUACAEAF), Water Quality & Watershed/Hydrologic Modeling (SWMM/HEC-RAS, Flood/Runoff/Nutrient) (EUAHAKAF)

Keywords

• Hydraulic engineering consulting
• Sediment transport modeling
• Bridge scour analysis
• River hydraulics services
• Water resources engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: Hydrau-Tech provides specialized engineering consulting services including sediment transport modeling, bridge scour analysis, hydraulic engineering design, dam safety assessment, and flood emergency response. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting contracts with government agencies and infrastructure operators.
2. Software Licensing and Customization: The company develops and licenses specialized sediment transport modeling software including BRI-STARS and GSTARS. These models can be customized to fit client needs, providing recurring revenue through software licensing and customization services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Hydrau-Tech provides specialized hydraulic engineering consulting services, including sediment transport modeling, bridge scour analysis, dam safety assessment, flood emergency response, and irrigation/water management for government agencies and infrastructure operators. The firm develops and sells proprietary numerical modeling software (BRI-STARS, GSTARS, SedWin, SedBase, R-View) used by hydraulic engineers, hydrologists, and geomorphologists to simulate alluvial river behavior, bridge hydraulics, and reservoir sedimentation. Engagements span more than 30 countries and are delivered primarily through project-based consulting contracts and direct software licensing.

Product overview

Hydrau-Tech, Inc. provides a suite of specialized sediment transport modeling and river engineering software tools, developed and maintained since 1986. The portfolio includes five core standalone products: BRI-STARS (a semi-two-dimensional water and sediment-routing model developed for FHWA), GSTARS (a water and sediment routing model developed for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), SedWin (a visually interactive sediment transport computation model for Windows), SedBase (a sediment transport database with 4574 data sets), and R-View (a visual guide for selecting Manning's roughness values). These products serve hydrologists, hydraulic engineers, geologists, geomorphologists, and environmental engineers in modeling sediment transport, bridge scour, and river morphology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BRI-STARS: Bridge Stream Tube model for Alluvial River Simulation - a generalized semi-two-dimensional water and sediment-routing model with graphical interface for solving complicated river engineering problems
• GSTARS
• SedBase
• SedWin
• R-View

Products and services

• Engineering Consulting Services (Sediment Transport Modeling & Bridge Scour Analysis) Specialized engineering consulting services covering numerical modeling of rivers, reservoirs, and watersheds; bridge scour analysis and countermeasure design; dam safety assessment; and physical/numerical modeling of hydraulic structures, delivered primarily to state DOTs and federal water resource agencies.
• Flood Emergency Response Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully modeled up to 35 feet of scour during Mississippi River Lock & Dam 26 construction
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Colorado State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrau-Tech has ongoing associations with Colorado State University, where company founder Dr. Albert Molinas is affiliated. The partnership involves collaboration on research, model development, and leveraging academic expertise in hydraulics and sediment transport. Associates from CSU participate in consulting projects.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrau-Tech developed the BRI-STARS (BRIdge Stream Tube model for Alluvial River Simulation) model for FHWA to solve complex alluvial river sedimentation problems. The company continues to enhance the model under federal contracts for bridge hydraulics applications.
• U.S. Bureau of ReclamationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrau-Tech developed the GSTARS (Generalized Stream Tube model for Alluvial River Simulation) model for the US Bureau of Reclamation. This semi-two-dimensional model uses stream tubes for hydraulic and sediment routing computations.
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHydrau-Tech has implemented numerous international development projects funded by USAID, including water resource management programs, irrigation improvement projects, and institutional capacity building initiatives in developing countries.
• World BankmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHydrau-Tech has participated in World Bank-funded projects including Sanmenxia Reservoir sediment modeling in China and various international water resource development initiatives.
• Society of Afghan EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrau-Tech works with associates from the Society of Afghan Engineers on international engineering projects, particularly in post-conflict countries requiring infrastructure development and institutional strengthening.
• US Forest ServiceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHydrau-Tech participated in the Albanian Watershed Assessment Project (AWAP) funded by USAID through US Forest Service to protect Albania's natural resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Jacobs: Global professional services firm with large water, transportation, and environmental practices. Competes for FHWA, USBR, and state DOT hydraulic work that overlaps with Hydrau-Tech's offerings.
• WSP: Large AEC consultancy with a transportation and water practice serving public-sector clients on bridge, dam, and river engineering. Competes indirectly for the same federal and state DOT programs as Hydrau-Tech.
• AECOM: Large AEC firm with a substantial water, transportation, and hydraulics practice serving federal and state clients. Overlaps with Hydrau-Tech on bridge scour, dam safety, and reservoir sedimentation, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Stantec: International design and engineering firm with significant water resources and transportation infrastructure groups. Overlaps with Hydrau-Tech on bridge scour, dam safety, and watershed projects for government clients.
• Tetra Tech: Global engineering and consulting firm with a large water resources and surface water hydraulics practice. Competes with Hydrau-Tech for state DOT bridge scour and federal water resource contracts, but operates across many other sectors.

Direct peers

• Stillwater Sciences: Boutique environmental and riverine engineering firm focused on fluvial geomorphology, sediment transport, and aquatic habitat. Highly comparable niche consulting overlap with Hydrau-Tech's river mechanics work.
• WEST Consultants: Boutique hydraulic engineering and river modeling consultancy developing and applying numerical models for sediment transport, scour, and flood studies. Closest direct technical peer to Hydrau-Tech's modeling-driven practice.
• Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC): Specialized water resources and hydraulic engineering firm focused on river mechanics, sediment transport, and fish-habitat hydraulics. Directly comparable niche consulting and modeling services to public and private clients.
• Kleinschmidt Group: Specialized engineering consultancy focused on hydropower, fish passage, and river mechanics. Most directly comparable to Hydrau-Tech's niche hydraulic, sediment, and dam engineering work for federal and utility clients.

Others

• US Army Corps of Engineers - Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC): Federal R&D organization that develops and applies hydraulic and sediment transport models. Functions as a research counterparty and sometimes competitor/partner to private firms like Hydrau-Tech on federally funded modeling projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hydrau-tech Engineering, Inc