NATURAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES

Our natural systems engineering services combine traditional engineering with bio-engineering strategies. The integrated approach creates solution designs for structural and natural resource problems. Our services focus on providing assessment and planning for watershed, river, and wetland restoration projects and hydrologic investigations of surface and ground water. Whenever possible, sustainable technologies are used in our solution designs.


Our sustainable designs use alternative energy sources such as photovoltaic and wind and water turbines, and the reuse of effluent waters in irrigation systems. The designs include provisions for land use projects to maintain ecosystem functions while serving client’s needs.

Services

Watershed Hydrologic Analysis

Evaluation of rainfall distribution and frequency, soil properties, surface runoff and groundwater flow, land cover inventory, drainage network analysis, and fluvial geomorphological processes under a range of land use conditions (e.g. urban, rural, wildland, agricultural)

Wetland Mitigation and Restoration Plans

Conceptual designs for compensatory wetland mitigation and wetland enhancement; site grading plans; vegetation species lists and planting plans; hydrologic and hydraulic assessment; preparation and acquisition of permits; construction management; and project cost estimates

Wetland Delineation and Flora Surveys

Criteria for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory jurisdiction status of Section 404 Clean Water Act, and criteria required for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classification; ground based surveys for flora inventory; and development of maps delineating plant communities and species composition

Hydrologic and Geomorphic Monitoring

Study design based on watershed physiographic variability and management objectives; preparation of study objectives and goals; establishment of sampling stations; installation of monitoring equipment including but not limited to water quality and quantity sensors and data recording devices; data analysis; and recommendations; types include: baseline, compliance, effectiveness, standards/regulatory, research

Stream Stabilization and Restoration

Flow frequency assessment; development of hydraulic geometry relationships; sediment transport analysis; design of structural and bioengineered bank stabilization measures; and application of the principles of hydraulic engineering and fluvial geomorphology to design and restore stream reaches with stable channel cross-sections and functional low channels and floodplains

Stormwater Drainage Analysis and Design

Peak flow and runoff volume assessments for urbanizing areas; hydraulic analysis and sizing of culvert and storm drain systems; and design of engineering measures for peak flow reduction and water quality enhancement (e.g. infiltration trenches, vegetated swales, in-line contaminant trapping systems, stormwater detention basins and other BMPs) 

Flood Assessments and Flood Control Engineering Design

Flood frequency analysis; evaluation of flood risk; flood water surface profile analysis and floodplain boundary delineation; sediment transport and bridge scour analysis; and design of engineering measures for flood control (e.g. small reservoirs, flood bypass systems, stormwater detention basins, channel modification and flood-proofing measures)

Erosion Assessment and Mitigation

Erosion studies; risk assessment; development of best management practices to reduce rates of erosion; control transport mechanisms; development of erosion control designs, material lists and cost estimates; and post-installation effectiveness monitoring

Post-fire Erosion Control

Post-incident on-site assessment; landscape analysis; best management practices and bio-engineering treatment recommendations; invasive species control; cost estimates; and post-installation monitoring and assessment

Sustainable Design

Siting and sizing of water catchment and reservoir systems for potable and non-potable uses; design of photovoltaic systems as both stand alone and backup power systems; and use of sensors to monitor environmental variables and manage systems