Waterways Consulting, Inc.

Santa Cruz, CA

Creative Solutions for Complex Natural Resource Challenges

Services: 21
Offices: 2
Projects: 9
Leaders: 6

Overview

Waterways Consulting, Inc. is a water resources engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in the planning, assessment, and design of surface water restoration projects. It is an interdisciplinary team of engineers and scientists with expertise in hydrology, geomorphology, fisheries, and plant ecology. Waterways works with private companies, government agencies, special districts, and non-profit organizations on projects across the West Coast, with offices in Santa Cruz, CA and Portland, OR.

Services

River and Wetland Restoration

Process-based, science-driven design and implementation of restoration projects that reconnect river corridors, reestablish wetland function, and improve habitat for native species.

Natural Channel Design Wetland Creation, Enhancement, and Mitigation Floodplain Reconnection and Off-Channel Habitat Design Biotechnical Bank Stabilization and Erosion Control

Aquatic Habitat and Fish Passage

Design and implementation of fish passage improvements, screening structures, spawning and rearing habitat enhancement, and pond/wetland creation for special status species.

Fish Passage and Screening Design Spawning and Rearing Habitat Improvements Habitat Complexity and Large Wood Structure Integration Pond and Wetland Creation for Special Status Species

Hydrologic and Geomorphic Assessment

Technical analysis of channel stability, sediment transport, hydrology, and hydraulics to inform restoration design.

Sediment Transport and Channel Stability Analysis Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling Geomorphic Mapping

Civil and Water Resources Engineering

Engineering design for water resources infrastructure including bridges, culverts, bank protection, and drainage.

Watershed Science and Regulatory Services

Science-based watershed assessment, permitting support, and environmental compliance services.

Permitting Assistance Botanical and Ecological Assessments

Construction and Monitoring Support

Construction observation, staking, as-built mapping, and post-project adaptive management to ensure project success.

Construction Staking, Observation, and As-Built Mapping Post-Project Monitoring and Adaptive Management

Industries

Government Natural Resources Commercial

Firm type

Civil Engineering Environmental Engineering Water / Wastewater Engineering

Project types

River Restoration Wetland Restoration Fish Passage Improvement Floodplain Restoration Dam Removal Meadow Restoration Fish Hatchery Improvements Bank Stabilization Mitigation Site Design

Projects

Coweeman Headwaters Habitat Enhancement

Multi-phase habitat enhancement project. Phases 1-2 completed 2019-2021. Waterways provided mapping, site selection, wood sourcing, engineering designs, permitting, and construction phase services.

Lower Pescadero Creek Multi-Objective Management Plan

Science-based management plan for 3.2-mile reach upstream of Pescadero Lagoon in San Mateo County. Client: San Mateo Resource Conservation District.

Faith Valley Meadow Restoration

Baseline conditions assessment and habitat improvement designs for a meadow in the Carson River watershed. Client: American Rivers.

Klaskanine Hatchery Fish Passage Improvements

Fish passage improvements at ODFW Klaskanine Fish Hatchery on the North Fork of the Klaskanine River, Clatsop County, Oregon.

Trout Creek Restoration

Multi-objective restoration of Trout Creek in downtown Truckee, CA in partnership with Truckee River Watershed Council and Truckee Development Corporation.

Linnton Mitigation Site

Restoration of a former industrial plywood mill site along the Willamette River in the Linnton neighborhood of Portland, OR.

Fall Creek Fish Ladder Improvement

Fish ladder and diversion screening improvement for steelhead, coho salmon, and other native species on Fall Creek (San Lorenzo River tributary). Client: San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Completed 2025.

Mill Creek Dam Removal

Dam removal on Mill Creek in Santa Cruz Mountains. Resulted in confirmed recolonization by steelhead within one year of removal (reported Dec 2024).

Slinkard Creek Fish Barrier Project

Fish barrier project in Mono County, CA supporting recovery of federally listed Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Collaboration with BLM, CDFW, USFWS, and Trout Unlimited. Completed Dec 2024.