GeoSTORM Reviews & Product Details

What I like most about GeoSTORM is its user-friendly interface and the efficiency it brings to model setup. The program significantly reduces project turnaround time by producing accurate results quickly and effectively. I especially appreciate the automatic watershed and subbasin delineation features, which streamline tasks that would otherwise take much longer in CAD software. Additionally, the 24/7 customer support provided by the GeoSTORM team is exceptional and truly sets it apart from other tools Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One area where GeoSTORM could improve is in its error reporting system. When an error occurs, there are no specific error codes or detailed messages to help identify the cause or suggest possible solutions. Having descriptive error messages or a reference list of common errors with recommended fixes would make troubleshooting much easier and enhance the overall user experience Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I like best about GeoStorm is its flexibility to run multiple hydraulic analysis engines within the same platform, which keeps all aspects of drainage design in one place. It streamlines the workflow by reducing the need to move data between different tools. I also appreciate that the GeoStorm team has been very responsive and prompt in addressing software issues, which gives confidence in both the tool and its support. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One limitation I’ve found with GeoStorm is the inability to discard flow from the system, similar to how HydroCAD allows a certain flow to be bypassed or excluded. This can make it more difficult to represent certain drainage conditions and requires extra workarounds in the modeling process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I have taken at least four courses on PCSWMM, and yet I still find it difficult to tackle some workflows. Geostorm is like working with a LEGO model, although I must agree with one previous reviewer that adding catch basins to the pipe instead of a model is quite awkward. That is a SWMM flaw, not a GEOSTORM flaw. Some other wrappers have worked around that, and with good reason. I believe that CivilGEO would like to cover all EPASWMM bases before tweaking the actual model, and that is completely understandable. You have to walk before you run, but my first work with GEOStorm was a gigantic solar farm that covered an entire town, draining to a river that was also modeled in GEOStorm. I tried Autodesk's Infoworks, and I don't understand why a flood model needs to look like a relational database.

GEOStorm will be your best bet if results are what you are after. The problem with most of these other programs is that they fail to prioritize the user experience. If you need to gather rainfall, streamflow, terrain, land cover, and soil data before laying out your model, you are already a couple of days behind, and most importantly, you will be tired before you start modeling. See, I look forward to working with CivilGeo's tools. It is that engaging, and that in itself is a battle won. The most difficult part of any project is getting started, and CivilGEO's products invite you to do just that. When was the last time you were eager to work? You have to experience it, because you have three options;

1 - Work slowly

2- Have a battery of Python scripts that can pull all that data for you. (Good luck maintaining that library for a few users.)

3-Use Geostorm

Five years ago, I wasn't sure if I would continue with my career in water resources. I was getting tired and bored. CivilGEO is one of the main reasons that I continued, and for that, I am grateful.

If you cannot relate to that, the same thing happened to me on the other side of my professional career, land development, some ten to twelve years ago. Learning Civil3D changed that.

Many people are familiar with CAD, and a significant number are also familiar with GIS. It is the common ground and the intersection of these two that makes things go right. CivilGEO understands that. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Not a 2D solver yet, but that is coming, so not much. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Like most reviewers indicated, there is a learning curve to GeoStorm. However, there is an ease of use right out of the gate. It is well worth the time spent and CivilGeo's technical Support is very responsive and willing to help. We have implemeted Geostorm on 3 projects so far for land entitlement and the ability to easily change terrains or CAD files while projects are evolving. This allows us to insert Hydraulics and Water Quality earlier on in the conversations and more efficiently allocate areas for stormwater treatment and storage. The software was easily integrated into our projects and implementation throughout the company was fairly simple. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The biggest downside is getting the local agencies familiar with the outputs of GeoStorm. Locally there is 2 software platforms developed in the 1990s and bringing a new report format for approval took a little convincing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The automatic DEM downloading as well as automatic watershed delineation allow the user to quickly gain an understanding of the surrounding subbasins for their project. Testing different water paths is user-friendly as well and makes obtaining an accurate time of concentration simple. Customer support is also always willing to help if anything isn't working properly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The only issue we have experienced with the software is that the DEM downloader stopped working for us. We instead had to download the DEM surfaces using other methods, but this was a minor inconvenience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

That automates many things and saves you valuable time. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

This comment is more about the content than the program itself. And it is, that for now I don't have explanatory videos of many tools, for example how to configure each of the LID methods, how to configure a chamber or a pond, also how to connect these systems to download points to obtain the post development runoff and others things. But I understand that they are slowly integrating material and I know they will succeed. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It has a lot of tools that make designing projects very easy to use even with very little experience with the product. Also, customer support was very prompt and helpful when needed. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It would be nice to have some features that allow you to manually upload your own data. For example, if I need my storm duration data to match the data given by a DOT, it would be nice to be able to input that rather than only using NOAA Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

1. The program is very advanced and capable of performing some tasks better than Bentley's products, such as using terrain to generate drainage areas.

2. The ease of finding rainfall data and hydrologic soil groups is very useful.

3. Technical support was very helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

1. I don't like that there is a steep learning curve. I had to call technical support to learn how to make just a simple drainage network layout.

2. The fact that catch basins have to be attached to a roadway segment is confusing and time-consuming.

3. I've experienced a lot of latency with the software. I updated to the latest version, but it didn't completely take away the issue. It seems like it's overwhelmed very easily once you add terrain.

4. I wish it integrated better with Civil3D like Bentley StormCAD, but it's not a dealbreaker. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It's great to finally have a software that incorporates stormwater requirements for hydromodification and hydraulic analysis into one program. I can easily import my data from Civil 3D, including surfaces, flow paths, drainage areas and storm pipe information into GeoSTORM. I am able to choose what type of design storm I want to use, which storm frequencies I want to model, and customize the reports of the results. The best part about GeoSTORM is the 24-7 customer support. It is never easy to learn a new program, but the learning curve has been quick because I can call anytime and get a hold of someone who point me in the right direction. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

It needs more options for customizing irregularly-shaped storage chambers. There needs to be a way to design outlet structures for bioretention areas. It would also be beneficial to have separate structures for manholes vs. drain inlets. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

GeoSTORM helps me to significantly reduce the time needed to complete a stormwater model. The software has all the data (soil, land cover, precipitation, etc.) readily available to quickly and accurately delineate watersheds and subbasins, get curve numbers, determine flow paths, and get any other information I need. Having all these features readily available has allowed me to not only reduce the time needed to complete a stormwater model, but has been extremely beneficial for my clients. I would estimate that I have reduced the time needed to complete a stormwater model by around 75% in comparison to previous software I've used. Being able to reduce that much time to complete a stormwater model has allowed me to complete more projects for my clients and provide better solutions to meet their needs.

In addition to the software, the customer service that CivilGEO provides is exceptional. They truly care about their clients and want honest feedback about their product. They're available 24/7 and always willing to help. I've received help from their technical team several times, and they've always helped me to better understand the software and help me find a solution. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Due to GeoSTORM being a newer software, there isn't a manual available or tutorial videos where I can try to find quick answers to the problems I'm having. CivilGEO has continued to improve the "Knowledge Base" on their website and that's been really helpful, but I would just like to have a manual that has all the information available in one place. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.