Navigating the Permit Process: Ensuring Successful Approvals

Navigating the Permit Process: Ensuring Successful Approvals

Throughout the process, the team worked closely with agencies to ensure they received clarification and sufficient information for their reviews, vital for timely approval. This close coordination continued into the current construction phase when turbidity challenges arose. The team continued agency collaboration to promptly address the issue to maintain permit compliance.

 

From initial interagency meetings to ongoing construction, FlowWest has continuously worked closely with agencies to navigate challenges and ensure all permit requirements are met. With these permits in place, the project continues to advance, supporting the restoration of habitat for California native fish and wildlife, including Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Another Successful Retreat on the Books!

FlowWest recently hosted its much-anticipated annual retreat at the beautiful Wildhaven Sonoma, creating a perfect blend of relaxation, wine tasting, team bonding, and outdoor adventure. Nestled in the heart of Sonoma County, Wildhaven provided the perfect backdrop for the event, with its serene atmosphere and luxury glamping accommodations.

The highlight of the retreat was a full day spent on the waters of Lake Sonoma, where the team enjoyed an array of exciting activities. FlowWest went all out, renting a boat and offering thrilling rides on jet skis. For those who preferred a slower pace, there were plenty of opportunities to get closer to nature with paddleboarding and kayaking—ideal for soaking in the peaceful surroundings and scenic views of the lake.

Of course, no retreat would be complete without delicious food! The team refueled with snacks and sandwiches from Costeau’s Bakery, making the perfect lakeside picnic. The combination of adventure, smores, winetasting, team bonding, and great food made this year’s retreat a memorable success. FlowWest’s annual retreat continues to be an incredible opportunity for the team to recharge, connect, and create lasting memories over the three days.

FlowWest to Present at 2024 E2i Meeting: Empowering Watershed Resilience

FlowWest is excited to announce that Data Scientist Inigo Peng has been accepted to attend the 2024 Environmental Information and Innovation (E2i) Meeting, hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency from September 17th to 19th in Kansas City, Missouri.

Inigo will be presenting “Empowering Watershed Resilience: Integrating Data, Software, and Policy for Clear Lake Water Quality Management”, alongside FlowWest’s client, the Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians. Their presentation will showcase the innovative tools developed to streamline the WQX data upload process, enhancing Clear Lake's water quality management.

Inigo will be presenting “Empowering Watershed Resilience: Integrating Data, Software, and Policy for Clear Lake Water Quality Management”, alongside FlowWest’s client, the Big Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians. Their presentation will showcase the innovative tools developed to streamline the WQX data upload process, enhancing Clear Lake's water quality management.

Water Quality Data Mastery

In addition to discussing data management, technology modernization, and program innovation, the conference offers excellent networking opportunities. If you're attending, we invite you to connect with Inigo Peng during the event to exchange ideas on environmental data management and explore opportunities for collaboration.

The E2i Meeting is a premier event for environmental professionals from federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local agencies. It brings together agency managers, program experts, and IT professionals, with a focus on building more modern and effective approaches to environmental protection.

Don’t miss this chance to engage with FlowWest at E2i and learn more about how our data services can support your organization’s environmental initiatives!

FlowWest presented at California Environmental Flows Workgroup

FlowWest presented at California Environmental Flows Workgroup

The team at FlowWest was excited to have presented at the California Environmental Flows Workgroup this week, where they shared their work on the Interoperable Flows Project. The main focus of this project is creating accessible, interoperable datasets that streamline the development of flow scenarios for salmonid restoration and habitat projects in the Central Valley.

FlowWest Data Scientist Liz Stebbins Masters Thesis Published in Fisheries Research

FlowWest Data Scientist Liz Stebbins Masters Thesis Published in Fisheries Research

The largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Superior, contains a plethora of species including the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). A recently published research paper, conducted as part of FlowWest employee Liz Stebbins master’s thesis, describes a model built to estimate growth variation in a population of lake trout in Lake Superior. Conducted through Michigan State University’s Fisheries and Wildlife department, this study focuses on an unusual subject: otoliths, commonly known as fish ear bones.

Go with the Flow: 2024 New Hires Edition

Go with the Flow: 2024 New Hires Edition

This edition of Go With the Flow features our 2 new engineering team hires: Audrey Jones and Monique Rabold! Our firm is rapidly expanding and wants to celebrate the new talent onboard. Based in Colorado, Monique is a California-certified Principal Engineer with many years experience from working at other consulting firms such as GEI. Hailing from Santa Rosa, CA, Audrey Jones is bringing fresh energy and skills to our expanding team from her time at Sherwood Design Engineers. Both Audrey and Monique are helping with aquatic projects all around California. Welcome to FlowWest! We’re excited to get to know more about them and are excited to get started with exciting projects.

Happy National Pet Day from FlowWest!

Happy National Pet Day! As a firm that specializes in aquatic resource management, fish like chinook salmon, clear lake hitch, and steelhead are top of mind for us. But that isn’t the only kind of animal we cherish. FlowWest employees tend to be big animal lovers in general and have many furry, scaled, or feathered companions. These pets are often seen peeking into company Zoom meetings, or their barks are heard when the mail comes for the day. Today and every day our steadfast companions in life deserve a special shoutout! Enjoy the compilation of staff photos!

PS- Did you spot the emu? 👀

Data Science Team to Present at American Fisheries Society 2024 Biennial Meeting

Data Science Team to Present at American Fisheries Society 2024 Biennial Meeting

The Cal-Nevada Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is hosting the 58th Biennial Meeting in Redding, California April 9-12th. FlowWest Data Scientists Ashley Vizek, Erin Cain, and Liz Stebbins will be presenting at the conference in the spring run Chinook juvenile production estimate (SR JPE) symposium titled “A Collaboration to Assess and Forecast Annual Spring-Run Chinook Salmon Abundance in The Sacramento River Basin: Making, Managing, and Modeling Data Across Life Stages, Geographies, and Agency Boundaries.”

FlowWest in the Field: Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model

FlowWest in the Field: Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model

Last week, the NorCal team at FlowWest had the amazing opportunity to visit the Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model in picturesque Sausalito. The Bay Model is a feat of engineering that serves as a vital tool for understanding the complex interactions between water, land, and human infrastructure. Built in the 1950s, this multi-acre hydraulic model was constructed to simulate the tidal movements and currents within the San Francisco Bay-Delta system.