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Service

Engineering

When the most challenging problems arise, look for the creative thinkers. At SWCA, we're engineering sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s world.

Overview

At SWCA, our engineering services are divided into two primary categories: Ecosystem Restoration Engineering and Site Civil & Energy Engineering.

Our Ecosystem restoration engineering team bring together a diverse group of engineers, landscape architects, scientists, planners, and cultural and natural resources experts to create innovative solutions for ecological challenges. Specializing in ecological restoration and water quality remediation, we work diligently in various environments, including streams, wetlands, and coastal shorelines. Our projects are designed to improve water quality and to foster and sustain diverse aquatic communities. By integrating cutting-edge science with practical engineering solutions, we aim to restore natural habitats and promote ecological balance.

Our Site Civil & Energy engineering team focuses on providing robust and reliable civil engineering services tailored for the energy sector. We offer a comprehensive suite of services that include preliminary civil construction layouts, detailed drainage plans, and effective stormwater management strategies for both preconstruction and post construction phases. Our expertise extends to floodplain engineering, ensuring that projects are resilient to environmental challenges. Additionally, we develop detailed final construction plans that align with industry standards and sustainability goals. Our approach ensures that energy projects are not only efficiently executed but also environmentally responsible, supporting long-term operational success.

Aquatic Organism Passage

Fish passage and aquatic organism connectivity is one of the most critical aspects of river restoration. Fish have an amazing ability to find habitat once they have access, and our fish passage designs strive for volitional fish passage at all flows. Whether it’s a fish ladder, a diversion screen, or a stream simulation culvert, our designs are robust and able to accommodate all species.

Relevant Services

  • Alternatives Development and Analysis
  • Conceptual Design Through Final Design
  • Diversion Improvement Alternatives Analysis
  • Feasibility Assessment and Cost Estimating
  • Fish Ladder Analysis, Design, and Permitting
  • Fish Passage Culvert Design
  • Fish Screen Analysis and Design Support
  • Fish Screen and Diversion Design
  • Geomorphic Assessment and Habitat Evaluation
  • Hydraulic Modeling and Fish Passage Analysis
  • Monitoring and Remote Sensing with Drones
  • Permitting Plan Set and Basis of Design Report
  • Project Presentations and Meetings
  • Topographic and Bathymetric Surveys

Coastal Resiliency and Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) protect, sustainably manage, or restore ecosystems to address societal challenges while benefiting both people and the environment. Our projects, including coastal marsh restoration, dune stabilization, and the creation of living shorelines, are designed to buffer against storm surges, reduce coastal erosion, and improve water quality. These efforts are cost-effective and compatible with existing infrastructure, providing natural defenses that adapt to changing conditions. Additionally, we restore wetlands to absorb and filter water, protect forests to capture carbon and reduce erosion, and restore rivers to mitigate flooding. By enhancing both coastal and inland ecosystems, our solutions contribute to resilient communities and sustainable environmental health.

Relevant Services

  • Feasibility and Alternatives Analysis
  • Flood Reduction and Mitigation
  • Green Stormwater Infrastructure
  • Habitat Restoration
  • Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
  • Living Shoreline Design
  • Natural Channel Design
  • Sea Level Rise Impact Modeling
  • Shoreline Stabilization and Restoration
  • Vulnerability Assessments

Dam Removal

The SWCA team has led or been a key team member of more than 25 dam removals across the country. Our successful leadership extends across the entire process that includes planning, design, permitting, and overseeing construction of dam removals. Our expertise with these legacy projects is unrivaled due to our on-the-ground experience and involvement with all phases of project execution, including community and stakeholder outreach.

Relevant Services

  • Alternatives Analysis for Dam Removal
  • Aquatic Resources Mitigation Plans
  • Conceptual, Preliminary, and Final Designs
  • Concrete Dam Removal
  • Construction Administration
  • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Development
  • Geomorphic Assessment and Habitat Analysis
  • Hydrology and Hydraulic Modeling
  • Public Meetings and Outreach
  • Reservoir Sediment Experiments, Removal, and Modeling
  • River and Reservoir Restoration Plans
  • Site Survey, Topography, and LiDAR
  • Wetland Delineation and Vegetation Mapping
  • Work Area Isolation and Fish Passage Plans

Floodplain Modeling

SWCA’s floodplain services are rooted in a deep understanding of watershed processes and floodplain regulatory requirements. When projects are located in floodplains, our team can recommend the best solution to evaluate flood risk and also walk you through the potential regulatory permitting process. Our team are experts in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements, as well as understanding how local floodplain ordinances may deviate from the national standard. SWCA delivers solutions that streamline floodplain permitting process and balance development needs. When working outside regulatory floodplains, our team employs advanced modeling techniques to analyze floodplain dynamics, ensuring that projects are resilient to flooding and other water-related challenges. With a focus on both preconstruction and post construction phases, we ensure that floodplain management strategies align with project delivery scheduling, long-term operational success, and sustainability goals.

Relevant Services

  • 2D Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
  • Energy Infrastructure Flood Risk Evaluation
  • Conditional Letter of Map Revisions (CLOMR)
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Floodway Revisions
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Permitting
  • Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)
  • Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
  • Letter of Map Revision Fill (LOMR-F)
  • Local Floodplain Permitting
  • No Rise/No Impact Certifications
  • Scour Evaluation

Living Shoreline Design

SWCA’s living shoreline design services focus on creating nature-based solutions to address coastal erosion, flooding, and habitat degradation. We combine expertise in coastal erosion research, fluvial geomorphology, and hydrologic assessments to design sustainable and resilient shorelines that protect ecosystems and communities. SWCA’s living shoreline projects incorporate green infrastructure and natural materials to stabilize shorelines, reduce wave energy, and enhance habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species. The solutions are both scientifically sound and cost-effective, tailored to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure while promoting long-term ecological and climate stability.

Relevant Services

  • Adaptive Management Planning
  • Construction Oversight
  • Design and Engineering
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Feasibility Analysis
  • Habitat/Ecological Site Assessment
  • Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
  • Post-Construction Monitoring

Site Civil and Energy Generation

SWCA’s engineers and drafters delivers comprehensive design services, from initial concepts through final construction drawing sets. We serve the full range of markets, from solar and generation, to transmission, to mining. Our engineers collaborate closely with environmental and cultural resources teams to evaluate the need for stormwater management controls, and to ensure successful and rapid permitting. We strategically design these systems to optimize buildable space while preserving the site’s natural features and minimizing environmental impact.  We can offer revenue generating opportunities through enhanced mitigation and restoration design elements.

Relevant Services

  • Construction Oversight
  • Decommissioning Plans
  • Driveway Permit Plans
  • Environmental Inspections
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
  • Grading and Drainage Plans
  • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans
  • Stormwater Management Plans
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
  • Township/County Zoning Plans
Solar panels in a row on bare dirt under a blue sky.

Stream Restoration

SWCA’s stream restoration engineering services are designed to revitalize and sustain the dynamic environments of natural waterways. Our team applies expertise in fluvial geomorphology, natural channel design, and watershed hydrology to restore stream channels to their natural form and function. By addressing erosion control, sediment transport, and habitat enhancement, we develop solutions that improve water quality and support diverse aquatic communities. Our stream restoration projects are carefully planned to ensure regulatory compliance, minimize environmental impact, and foster resilient ecosystems. Through innovative engineering and scientific insight, we deliver sustainable outcomes that enhance the ecological integrity and hydrological balance of stream systems.

Relevant Services

  • Adaptive Management Planning
  • Construction Oversight
  • Design and Engineering
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Feasibility Analysis
  • Habitat/Ecological Site Assessment
  • Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
  • Mitigation Assessment and Planning
  • Post-Construction Monitoring

Watershed Master Planning

SWCA’s watershed master planning services are comprehensive and science-driven, aimed at restoring and preserving watershed health while addressing societal and environmental challenges. The team integrates expertise in watershed hydrology, sediment transport, and ecological restoration to develop master plans that improve water quality, enhance aquatic habitats, and mitigate flooding risks. SWCA’s approach includes asset inventory and assessment, advanced hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and modeling of watersheds to create actionable plans tailored to the unique needs of each project. The master planning efforts are both innovative and effective, designed to meet regulatory requirements, support sustainable development, and promote ecological balance across diverse environments.

Relevant Services

  • Asset Inventory and Assessment
  • Drainage System Design
  • Fish Passage Design
  • Fluvial Geomorphic Assessments
  • Hydrologic And Hydraulic Modeling
  • Mitigation Bank Site Identification
  • Natural Channel Design
  • Post-Fire Restoration Planning
  • Remote Instream Monitoring
  • Sediment Supply and Transport Modeling
  • Statistical Sampling Design
  • Surface And Groundwater Monitoring
  • Wetland Assessments and Delineations

Wetland Restoration

SWCA’s wetland restoration engineering services focus on restoring and enhancing wetland ecosystems to promote biodiversity and improve water quality. Our team specializes in ecological restoration techniques that address hydrological regimes, soil conditions, and native vegetation establishment. By leveraging our knowledge in wetland hydrology and sediment dynamics, we create designs that restore natural water flow and habitat complexity. Our commitment to regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship ensures that wetland restoration projects are executed efficiently while fostering resilient ecosystems. Through a blend of scientific expertise and engineering innovation, we deliver sustainable solutions that support the ecological and hydrological functions of wetlands.

Relevant Services

  • Adaptive Management Planning
  • Construction Oversight
  • Design and Engineering
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Habitat/Ecological Site Assessment
  • Hydrologic And Hydraulic Modeling
  • Mitigation Assessment andPlanning
  • Post-Construction Monitoring

Meet the Experts

Impact In Action

  • This footage was collected in 2018 before restoration was completed on Phase 2.

  • This footage was collected in 2018 during construction of Phase 2 on Ninemile Creek.

  • Two years post construction of phase 2 on Ninemile Creek project.

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