News, Recent Projects
Kate Souza
FlowWest to Present at 2024 E2i Meeting: ...
FlowWest to Present at 2024 E2i Meeting: Empowering Watershed Resilience
Recent Projects
Kate Souza
Building the Spring Run Juvenile Production ...

FlowWest is working to build a data management system where data is compiled, transformed, and stored in a standardized format for monitoring spring-run Chinook salmon juvenile production estimates (SR JPE).

Building the Spring Run Juvenile Production Estimate Data Management System
News, Careers
Kate Souza
FlowWest Welcomes Michael MacWilliams

FlowWest is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Michael MacWilliams PhD, PE to our team as a partner and Principal Engineer. Dr. MacWilliams expands FlowWest’s capabilities into new areas including three-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling, sea level rise planning, and coastal and marsh restoration. He will extend FlowWest’s reach in San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with new capabilities and clients.

FlowWest Welcomes Michael MacWilliams

News

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Navigating the Permit Process: Ensuring Successful Approvals

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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).

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Another Successful Retreat on the Books!

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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.

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FlowWest to Present at 2024 E2i Meeting: Empowering Watershed Resilience

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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.

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FlowWest Welcomes Michael MacWilliams

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FlowWest Welcomes Michael MacWilliams

FlowWest is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Michael MacWilliams PhD, PE to our team as a partner and Principal Engineer. Dr. MacWilliams expands FlowWest’s capabilities into new areas including three-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling, sea level rise planning, and coastal and marsh restoration. He will extend FlowWest’s reach in San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta with new capabilities and clients.

FlowWest at Mokelumne River Chinook salmon run in Central Valley

FlowWest at Mokelumne River Chinook salmon run in Central Valley

EBMUD invited FlowWest employees for a tour of the Mokelumne River hatchery and the adjacent Mokelumne River spawning and rearing habitat, led by Fisheries and Wildlife Manager Michelle Workman. FlowWest Co-Founders Paul Frank, Anthony Falzone and Mark Tompkins joined Environmental Planner Skyler Lewis to see both Chinook salmon and steelhead in the fish ladder and holding areas getting ready to enter the hatchery, and walked out on the bridge over to see the fish spawning in the river. Read more to learn about these incredible fish.

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Courtland Creek Project Breaks Ground

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Courtland Creek Project Breaks Ground

The City of Oakland has been working on a community-driven creek restoration project that will improve three daylighted sections of Courtland Creek, within Courtland Creek Park. The Courtland Creek Restoration Project (Project), an Oakland Measure DD Initiative, will protect, enhance, and restore approximately 950 feet of open creek channel.

Senior Engineer, Anna Kladzyk Constantino, to Lead Workshop at California Adaptation Forum

Senior Engineer, Anna Kladzyk Constantino, to Lead Workshop at California Adaptation Forum

FlowWest is thrilled to be participating in the biennial California Adaptation Forum. FlowWest has been working at the forefront of climate vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, and climate resilience strategy development for nearly a decade. The Forum will be held this year in Pomona, CA from 7/31-8/2, and promises to be an inclusive gathering that will bring together folks approaching this complex work from different perspectives in order to expand climate resilience across the State. In our climate adaptation work, we have grown to appreciate the deep importance of creating spaces for diverse voices to be heard and how empathic practice is necessary for building pathways to climate resilience.  Read more below.

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ARTICLE: Parched California Misses a Chance to Store More Rain Underground

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ARTICLE: Parched California Misses a Chance to Store More Rain Underground

"In the Sonoma County wine region, north of San Francisco, a group of vineyards and local agencies is working with the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians on a multimillion-dollar system of pumps and pipes that would grab large gulps of the Russian River during storms and distribute it to growers’ fields. The challenge, said Philip Bachand, an engineer on the project, will be persuading California water officials, who he said are overly concerned that allowing people to reroute floodwater will deprive others downstream."

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FlowWest Project is One of First in State to Receive Innovative CEQA Exemption for Habitat Restoration

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FlowWest Project is One of First in State to Receive Innovative CEQA Exemption for Habitat Restoration

The Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects will speed up project timelines and cut down on paperwork to implement much-needed restoration across California.

OAKLAND, CA, December 28, 2022. The Basso/La Grange Reach Floodplain and Spawning Habitat Restoration Project is one of the first in California, and the first in Stanislaus County, to qualify as statutorily exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP). The SERP is just one of the many innovative tools developed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) as part of its “Cutting the Green Tape” Initiative. The statutory exemption is solely for projects that "conserve, restore, protect, or enhance, and assist in the recovery of California fish and wildlife, and habitat upon which they depend or that restore or provide habitat for California native fish and wildlife". The project is one of only 12 projects that have been determined to be exempt under the SERP, and underwent a rigorous review process. FlowWest crafted the exemption documents and worked closely with CDFW to ensure the submittal materials included everything the CDFW Director needed to find the project statutorily exempt. FlowWest is providing the full suite of planning and floodplain design services for the project.

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FlowWest is a 2020 Winner in the Inner City 100!

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FlowWest has been selected by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) as one of 2020’s fastest-growing inner city businesses! The ICIC 100 award recognizes one hundred companies experiencing rapid growth and making a meaningful impact on their cities and communities. Proudly based in Oakland, California, FlowWest looks forward to expanding our engagement with our great home town, and to making connections with other small businesses working hard to strengthen their inner city communities. More details available in our press release.   

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Mark Tompkins of FlowWest to teach floodplain reconnection at annual Geomorphic and Ecological Fundamentals of River and Stream Restoration short course

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Dr. Mark Tompkins will be leading a session on floodplain reconnection at this year’s Geomorphic and Ecological Fundamentals of River and Stream Restoration professional short course at the Sagehen Field Station near Lake Tahoe. This course attracts a diverse array of river restoration professionals and is a phenomenal learning and collaborative experience. Dr. Tompkins has been an instructor for this course for over a decade and looks forward to meeting a passionate group of river restoration professionals.

Recent News & Updates