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An Automated Geographic Information System-Based Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Developing Preliminary Culvert Designs for Stream Crossings in Massachusetts

Fact Sheet 2026-3065
Prepared in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
By: , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20263065

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Introduction

Currently (2026), many of the about 25,000 roadway crossing structures over rivers and streams in Massachusetts are undersized. Undersized culverts and bridges can be detrimental to fish and wildlife movement, habitat continuity, and the health of aquatic organisms. Undersized culverts also can lack the resiliency needed to withstand large floods, which could be worsened by potential increases in flood magnitude and frequency due to climate change. Improving culvert and bridge designs for stream crossing projects may improve aquatic organism passage, stream continuity, and resiliency during future floods by decreasing upstream overbank flooding, road flooding and erosion, and degradation of aquatic habitat.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), and University of Massachusetts Amherst began a series of cooperative studies in July 2019 to develop an automated geographic information system (GIS) hydraulic modeling tool for preliminary culvert designs for stream crossings. The USGS plans to provide preliminary culvert designs in the web-based StreamStats application, which enables municipalities and engineers to view potential designs and related information for stream crossing replacement projects in Massachusetts. This application can (a) provide information on hydrology, hydraulics, and ecological conditions at stream crossing sites, (b) provide users with potential culvert designs to improve aquatic organism passage and flood resiliency, and (c) assist MassDEP in implementing the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act regulations for stream crossing projects.

Suggested Citation

Bent, G.C., McCarthy, B.A., Sturtevant, L.P., McCallister, M.A., Tudor, A.L., Armstrong, I.P., Poe, M.W., Graziano, A.P., and Carlson, C.S., 2026, An automated geographic information system-based hydraulic modeling tool for developing preliminary culvert designs for stream crossings in Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2026–3065, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20263065.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards
  • An Automated GIS-Based Hydraulic Modeling Tool
  • USGS StreamStats Web Application
  • Acknowledgments
  • Selected References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title An automated geographic information system-based hydraulic modeling tool for developing preliminary culvert designs for stream crossings in Massachusetts
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2026-3065
DOI 10.3133/fs20263065
Publication Date May 01, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) New England Water Science Center
Description 6 p.
Country United States
State Massachusetts
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details