Haden Smith, P.E.

Haden Smith is the Owner and Principal Consultant for HydroSmith LLC.

Multidisciplinary Expert

I bring deep expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, a flood hazard analysis, alongside a proven track record in advancing risk methodology, guidance, and policy for dam and levee safety. My work bridges the gap between complex hydrologic modeling and innovative risk analysis tools, helping to drive efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in risk-informed decision-making. As both a technical leader and collaborator, I’m committed to fostering innovation, mentoring others, and supporting the global mission of resilient infrastructure through multidisciplinary solutions.

Experience Highlights

  • I bring extensive experience leading and supporting high-priority flood hazard and risk assessments for critical infrastructure. Over the course of my career, I’ve played key roles in numerous projects across a wide range of hydrologic and climatic settings, including large river basins and systems with complex reservoir operations. My expertise spans technical leadership, review, and advisory roles, helping clients navigate challenging flood risk scenarios with confidence.

  • I specialize in developing advanced software tools that support risk analysis and flood hazard evaluation for critical infrastructure. As the lead developer of several widely used applications, I’ve created solutions that integrate complex data sources and methodologies to support risk-informed decision-making. My work includes the design and implementation of tools for statistical analysis, hydrologic simulation, and system-level risk assessment—empowering engineers and agencies with practical, high-performance software tailored to real-world challenges.

  • I’m passionate about advancing technical skills within the engineering and risk analysis communities. Through a combination of in-depth training materials, hands-on instruction, and active engagement at conferences and workshops, I help others build confidence in applying statistical and computational techniques to real-world problems. My training experience spans a broad range of topics—from foundational methods to advanced approaches—delivered through dozens of courses and interactive sessions designed to promote practical understanding and long-term competency.

 FAQs

  • • Hydrology & Hydraulics

    • Flood Hazard Analysis

    • Risk Management

    • Economics

    • Probability & Statistics

    • Computational & Numerical Methods

    • Software Development

  • M.Sc. in Economics, Colorado School of Mines

    M.Sc. in Risk Management, Notre Dame of Maryland University

    B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, University of Memphis

  • Yes. Over the course of my career, I’ve been engaged in both national and international projects—collaborating with agencies in the Netherlands and Spain, as well as organizations like the Australian Water School. I’ve also partnered with U.S.-based institutions including USGS, FERC, FEMA, NRC, and NOAA. This broad range of experience reflects my ongoing commitment to supporting resilient infrastructure and advancing risk-informed decision-making around the world.

  • I'm the author or co-author of over 40 journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports covering topics in flood risk, hydrologic modeling, and infrastructure safety. You can explore many of my latest publications on ResearchGate.

Contact me

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