ASCE has honored Gary W. Brunner, P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE, with the 2022 Ven Te Chow Award for exemplary contributions to the field of hydraulics and hydrology and for leading the development of the most commonly used hydraulic modeling software, providing engineers around the globe with tools to address the challenges of flood risk, water supply, and changing environment.
Brunner is best known as the main developer of River Analyst System HEC-RAS, having had the leading role in its development. HEC-RAS is globally the most widely used model in this field; it is downloaded on average 100,000 times a year by practitioners and academicians. Brunner also wrote the user and technical manuals for HEC-RAS and worked on the development of two other well-known tools: HEC-1 Flood Hydrograph Package and HEC-2 River Hydraulics Package.
He was not only the lead developer of HEC-RAS but also provided support to thousands of practitioners, which was a weighty factor in his being named the recipient of the 2016 AAWRE Outstanding Practitioner in Water Resources Engineering Award.
Established in 1995, the Ven Te Chow Award recognizes individuals whose lifetime achievements in the field of hydrologic engineering have been distinguished by exceptional achievement and significant contributions in research, education, or practice.
