What's new in OpenFlows Sewer and OpenFlows Storm 2026 (version 26.00.00.514)


Products: SewerGEMS, CivilStorm, StormCAD, SewerCAD
Version(s) 26.00.00.508, 26.00.00.513, 26.00.00.514
Area: Installation
Released on: 2026-May-7

Overview

A new version of OpenFlows Storm (StormCAD and CivilStorm) and OpenFlows Sewer (SewerGEMS and SewerCAD) 2026 has been released. This article provides an overview of the new features and updates in this release. Note that PondPack is part of OpenFlows Storm but has not been updated with this release.

IMPORTANT: this was initially released as version number 26.00.00.508 on May 7th 2026, then subsequently re-released to fix an issue with background maps and deployment images. The official released build is 26.00.00.514 (May 19th, 2026).

Table of Contents

 

Expanded Coordinate System support

With this release, you can now specify the coordinate system of external data and the software will automatically reproject as needed, to align with the model's coordinate system:

This enables you to seamlessly align external data with your hydraulic model without the need for GIS integration. Additionally, you can now easily fix a model's coordinate system without relying on external workflows to reproject, by changing the model's coordinate system in the Options dialog and choosing the option to reproject.

Lastly, the coordinate system selection dialog now displays a map when selecting a coordinate system, highlighting the covered area. This helps you verify that the coordinate system is correct:

 

More information on using coordinate system in the standalone version of the OpenFlows products can be found at the following link: Working with coordinate systems in the OpenFlows standalone platform.

Graphical Editor Performance Improvements

Performance of the graphical editor has been improved and optimized. Mouse-based operations such as panning, zooming and dragging selected objects should feel faster and more responsive especially in large models.

These improvements do not introduce visual or functional differences compared to previous versions.

Set annotations for specific scenarios in Element Symbology

You can now set a specific scenario when using annotations in Element Symbology. This enables you to easily compare results between two scenarios in a single drawing. When you create or edit an annotation in Element Symbology, there is an option to select a scenario.

If you create another annotation for the same property field, you can select another scenario to display the results. In the screenshot below, you can see the flow results at a pipe for two different scenarios. Prefixes were used to help differentiate between the results.

 

New "Text (Formula)" User Data Extension type

It is now possible to create a formula User Data Extension where the output is a text field. For instance, you could use the IIF (if-then) function to give a pass or fail value. It is also possible to edit existing text values using different text-based functions.

In the User Data Extension manager, create a new UDX and set the Data Type to Text (Formula). Click the Formula cell and click the ellipsis (…) button.

The properties for the element you selected will be displayed on the left. The available functions will display on the right. You will be able to build your formula using these.

Note: when using enumerated fields (dropdown list) in the list on the left side as part of your formula, you can hover your mouse over them for a tooltip preview of the numeric ID values corresponding to each choice, which you would use in the formula. This provides a quick reference so that you do not need to exit your formula editor to go check the available enumerated values.

 

See more here: Creating Formula-Based User Data Extensions

Export to Word feature added to Graph and FlexTables

A new Export to Word feature has been included for Graphs and FlexTables. When you open a graph or FlexTable, you will find an Export to Word feature. This will export the graph or FlexTable to a new Word document.

This functionality streamlines the process of creating reports and sharing model results, as you can now seamlessly integrate tabular data and graphical plots into your project documentation.

Furthermore, you can customize the appearance of the exported content using Chart and Table Templates. For graphs, the underlying data remains accessible in the Word document and can be edited via Excel, offering greater flexibility for reporting and presentation.

For graphs, you can also edit the data source by right-clicking on the graph in Word and choosing Edit Data, which will open the numerical data in Excel. For example, you could adjust the column header to display differently in the Word document compared to the graph in the OpenFlows product.

See this link for more information: How to Export FlexTables and Graphs to Microsoft Word

Improvements to Report Output

Several improvements have been made reporting, to improve the quality and clarity of report output. These improvements primarily focus on the reports seen when clicking the Report button from places like Flextables, the Report menu, and printouts of the plan view. Here are some of the updates:

 

Ability to override inlet capture to be full capture

A calculation option has been included to allows you to override the catalog inlet capture efficiency to be full capture. This applies to the GVF-Rational and GVF-Convex solvers in OpenFlows Storm and OpenFlows Sewer. This option is helpful in situations where you need to quickly see results if all flow is captured, without having to set up a new alternative with all inlet types set to full capture.

To use this, open the calculation options in the Properties. Find the field “Override Inlets for Full Capture?” and set this to True. When this is done, all inlets will be considered full capture and there will be no bypass flow to connected gutters.



Totalizing Flow Meter

The Totalizing Flow Meter tool is now available to find the volume of flow for conduits when using the Explicit, Implicit, of GVF-Convex solvers. This tool can be access by going to the Analysis tab in the Ribbon interface and choosing More > Totalizing Flow Meter. Click the New button create a new item. You can then select elements you want to include. If an element is already highlighted in the drawing, it will automatically be included.

This can also be used for pressure pipes in the Explicit and Implicit solvers.

See this link for more information: Reporting volume of water through certain elements in SewerCAD, SewerGEMS, and CivilStorm

Bentley Copilot

Bentley Copilot is a new conversational artificial intelligence (AI) assistant that provides contextual intelligence, guides users through workflows, searches relevant documents, makes changes to model inputs, and analyzes data inputs and outputs through natural language conversation. By enabling users to "talk" to their hydraulic models and removing the need to memorize tool locations or complex query syntax, Bentley Copilot empowers users and accelerates project delivery, reducing the learning curve and enabling users to focus on engineering decisions.

To access Bentley Copilot, click on the Bentley Copilot item in the Home tab of the Ribbon interface. This will open a dialog where you can start the chat with Copilot.

Note: If you do not wish to install Bentley Copilot, it can be disabled during or after installation. See details in the article below.

   

Prompts can include asking for general information about the model (“how many pipes are there with a diameter greater than 12 in?), model functionality (“compute the active scenario”), how-to type questions (“how can I model a connection to an existing water main?), and more.

With this release, Bentley Copilot is offered as a Technology Preview, which means that it is still under development and may not represent the full functionality intended for a future (non-tech preview) release. Therefore, please use this feature for evaluation purposes. Please be aware that at some point, you may receive notice from Bentley that such use must cease or this Technology Preview will become unavailable to you. As we receive feedback, this Technology Preview may also be enhanced, updated or also discontinued without notice. As a Technology Preview, it is provided to you "as-is" without the benefit of any Bentley warranty, indemnity or support obligation.

More details can be found here: [Tech Preview] Using Bentley Copilot in OpenFlows Products

iModel Connector

This version introduces an iModel Connector, to synchronize a hydraulic model to Bentley's Infrastructure Cloud. iModel Connectors provide a bridge to transform data into the standard iModel format, which can be viewed in Bentley Infrastructure Cloud (BIC). This can help with a number of workflows such as performing clash detection across different programs (like OpenFlows Water and OpenFlows Sewer), as well as provide a method a model to be viewed without the need to own the OpenFlows product.

Note: results are currently only exported for the current timestep, as time-series results are not yet supported in the iModel format.

Details on using this workflow can be found here: Using iModel Connector in the OpenFlows products

Example of an iModel as viewed in Bentley Infrastructure Cloud:

 

Improved support for FlexTable filters in Custom Reports

A Filter option has been included in the FlexTable section for Custom Reports. This will improve the use of filters for FlexTables in Custom Reports. There are options to use the current filter, a custom filter, or no filter.

Information on using Custom Reports can be found here: Creating Custom Reports

Export elements decoration lines (dashed lines) as shapefiles in Standalone

An export option has been included that will export the decoration lines that show the dashed line links between elements into shapefiles. This is available in both the Standalone and ArcGIS Pro platforms. To access this, click on File and then choose Export > Decorations.

These decoration links include the dashed lines between catchments and outflow nodes or isolation valves and pipes, among others.

Additional information on this can be found here: How to Export Element Decoration Lines as Shapefiles

Additional functionality, such as Zoom To and Export, added to Alternatives

Zoom To and Export functionality has been included for Alternatives. These features are available in other places in the program, like FlexTables. Including this in the Alternatives manager gives you additional options for viewing and editing elements and element data.=

To export data to a shapefile, text file, or CSV file, click the Export to File button in the upper left of a given alternative.

The Zoom To functionality works like it does in FlexTables or User Notifications. You can right-click on a row and choose Zoom To, which will highlight that element in the drawing.

Google Maps replacing Bing Maps background layer

Google Maps tiles are replacing the Bing Maps background layer, because Bing Maps is being deprecated by Microsoft:

The overall use and functionality are otherwise the same and the feature is now simply referred to as "Background Map".

No conversion or extra steps are needed for existing models that previously used Bing Maps.

Allow the same Rational Method Frequency Factor to be used for multiple storm events

Starting with this version of OpenFlows Storm and OpenFlows Sewer, you can now use the same value for Rational Method Frequency Factor for the multiple storm events. In the collection field, you will include the Return Event for the storm and the Frequency Factor. Frequency factors will most often be a value greater than 1.0 for larger return events.

This applies to both the Rational Method and Modified Rational Method. For more information on Rational Method Frequency Factors, see this link: Applying a C adjustment factor to different return events.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) calculation for Property Connection elements

Input for H2S calculation are now available for Property Connection elements. This includes input for H2S and BOD.

See this link for more information on modeling hydrogen sulfide: Modeling septicity / hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 

Separate input field for terrain model elevation

The units for the elevation (Z) coordinate are now separate from the X and Y coordinates of a terrain model. This is so if the terrain model has a different unit than the elevation compared to the X and Y coordinates, the scale of the terrain model and the elevation are accurate. For example, feet vs. US Survey feet.



System results available for cross sections and channels in the StormCAD solver

Results for the system results, such as System Time and System CA, are now available for cross section and channel elements in the GVF-Rational solver.

Bentley RTK compatibility mode

A Bentley RTK Compatibility Mode has been added to the calculation options. Using this option will apply a flow tolerance check that will adjust flow values less than 0.000001 cfs to be zero. This option has been included so that you can match results from earlier versions.

To use this option, change the calculation option property “Use Minimum Flow Tolerance with RTK” to True. For new models, it is recommended that this property be set to False.

Improved catchment delineation results available for cross sections and headwalls

Catchment delineation when using cross sections and headwalls have been improved. Inlet length for a cross-section node or headwall is now calculated from channel cross-section top width or headwall node cross-section top width.

Update and include link: Using Catchment Delineation

Hydraulic Radius results available for channels in the StormCAD solver

Result for Hydraulic Radius and Tractive Stress have been included for conduits and channels in the GVF-Rational (StormCAD) solver.

Unlike other solvers in OpenFlows Sewer and OpenFlows Storm, there is no option for a global minimum. See the following link for more information: Tractive Stress (aka Tractive Force, Shear Stress) Calculations and Design.

See more in this article: Tractive Stress (aka Tractive Force, Shear Stress) Calculations and Design

Flow Across Line results in 2D modeling

Report Paths in 2D modeling allow the user to see the depth of water at profile created on the 2D grid. It is now possible to view the flow and volume across the report path. To use this, right-click on an existing Report Path and choose “Flow Across Line”. This will display the flow and volume across the report path.

More information on 2D modeling can be found here: 2D Modeling in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm

Create graph for any 2D cell

It is now possible to create graphs for any 2D grid cell. From the Grid Browser, click the Graph Cell button.

This will open a new dialog where you can view the depth, water elevation, and velocity at the grid cell.

If you click on another point in the grid, the data will update to the new location. Note that it is not possible to save a given graph. However, you can use Chart Options to view the data and save to an outside program, like Excel. You can also print the graph from dialog.

More information on 2D modeling can be found here: 2D Modeling in SewerGEMS and CivilStorm

Updated Installation file with Deployment Image Support

This release uses the standard Bentley installation technology, which supports the creation of a deployment image for mass/silent deployment. This is done using the /layout switch when running the installation executable, to configure and create a .lyt file with your deployment preferences. See more details here:

Compatible Platforms and Operation Systems

Compatible Operating Systems:

Supported Platforms:

ProjectWise integration:

Support for ProjectWise 2025, 2024, 2023 and CONNECT Edition

See: Platform Compatibility

Model Compatibility

Older models can be opened in this version of HAMMER.

See: Model backward / forward compatibility

Stability enhancements and fixes to reported issues

As with all new versions, this release includes fixes to various user-reported issues from the previous release, providing an overall more stable experience.

See Also

SewerGEMS TechNotes and FAQs

SewerCAD TechNotes and FAQs

CivilStorm TechNotes and FAQs

StormCAD TechNotes and FAQs

Downloading OpenFlows / Water Infrastructure Software