Applied Hydrologic and GIS Solutions: Analysis of Tributary 96, Escondido Creek

When Ernest Etkins, a project manager for a regional engineering firm, first contacted Evercampo, he admitted he wasn’t sure what he would find in Unnamed Tributary 96 of Escondido Creek.

His client needed answers—land was being prepared for development in Karnes County, Texas, and the tributary, small as it seemed on a map, had already raised concerns. Locals spoke of sudden runoff after summer storms, and erosion scars lined its banks. To move forward responsibly, Ernest’s team needed a clear hydrologic picture—one they could trust to guide both design and regulatory compliance.

That’s when Evercampo stepped in.

Seeing Beyond the Map

From the start, our team treated Tributary 96 not just as a dataset, but as a living system. We began by processing high-resolution LiDAR elevation models and aerial imagery, transforming raw data into a surface where every contour told part of the water’s story.

We traced the tributary’s flow paths, delineated its watershed, and built the hydrologically conditioned datasets that would become the backbone of the analysis. To Ernest, it looked like a series of precise, clean maps. To us, it was the first step in letting the land speak.

Building the Hydrologic Narrative

With GIS layers in place, we turned to the dynamics of water itself. Using HEC-HMS, we simulated rainfall events across the watershed, producing runoff hydrographs that revealed how storms translated into flow.

The patterns were clear: under certain intensities, flow concentrated rapidly, explaining the erosion that had been reported downstream. Tributary 96, though modest in size, played an outsized role in the stability of Escondido Creek.

We paired these findings with erosion risk mapping and channel stability assessments, ensuring Ernest’s team had not only numbers but also visual evidence of where interventions mattered most.

From Data to Decision

When we presented the results, Ernest didn’t just receive a report—he gained a decision-making tool.

Our deliverables included:

• USGS-compliant hydrography datasets ready for integration into national and local systems.

• Technical maps and visuals that made watershed boundaries and risk zones immediately clear.

• Recommendations for targeted erosion control—vegetative stabilization along key reaches and engineered solutions for high-stress points.

For Ernest, it meant his project could move forward confidently, meeting regulatory standards and demonstrating environmental responsibility to stakeholders.