It’s almost 16 years to the day that cbec was founded to provide ecologically sensitive and sustainable water resources solutions — and we have not looked back since! In that time, we have built a team of truly gifted and inquisitive individuals; team members that continually propel the collective talent of our group to higher levels. I would like to personally thank every member of the cbec team for contributing to our success, and show my gratitude to all our clients, partners and friends for the trust they have placed in us. It has truly been an amazing float!
This edition of “ebb & flow” touches on the ways we nurture our team members in their career path; how our staff turns that knowledge outward in their own circles to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists; as well as giving a glimpse into our summer professional and social happenings. Please follow our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up to date with our latest news. We hope you enjoy this newsletter, and thank you for subscribing.
Interview with Noelle Patterson
What drives an ecohydrologist? We interviewed Noelle Patterson, a newer addition to the cbec team based out of Reno, NV.
What motivates you to work in the water resources industry? I always knew that I wanted to work in environmental conservation or restoration in some way, but it took a few different experiences in college to put me on the water resources track. My first opportunity was working on a water quality-based research project at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, using algae to purify wastewater. The following year I worked on a micro-irrigation project for small farmers in Mukono, Uganda, and travelled there to help implement the design. It became clear to me from these experiences how water determines quality of life, anywhere in the world. The following year I started to take water resources classes at UC Davis, and I have been hooked ever since.
"It became clear to me from these experiences how water determines quality of life..."
What made you choose the cbec team? I’ve had my eye on cbec for many years now! Seven years ago when I was working at the California State Water Board, I attended a River Restoration short course led by Chris Bowles and Chris Hammersmark. I was struck by the important work cbec was doing and the river rehabilitation concepts shared in their course, which were relatively new to me at the time. I kept cbec in mind for the following years in which I continued on to graduate school and focused on environmental flow policy and ecohydrology in my research. All these years later it’s a pleasure to be on board with the cbec team, working towards the same river rehabilitation goals I was introduced to during that course.
"I was struck by the important work cbec was doing and the river rehabilitation concepts shared in their course, which were relatively new to me at the time.”
What’s the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why? During my 18 months at cbec I've had the opportunity to work on several diverse and rewarding projects. One of my favorites has been a juvenile salmon habitat enhancement analysis on the Sacramento River as part of the Floodplains Reimagined project. Although it was a small piece of the overall effort, I got to dive into a new concept and study area and apply some fun problem solving to help create an EcoFIP-based framework for identifying habitat enhancement opportunities.
What’s your favorite river and why? Hands-down my favorite river is the Truckee River, which runs through my home base in Reno, NV. It is a really unique river system connected by two lakes: Lake Tahoe in the headwaters, and the terminal Pyramid Lake at the bottom of the watershed. The Truckee River was the focus of some of my dissertation research, in which I used tree cores from riparian cottonwoods to assess the ecological effects of water diversions over time. The Truckee (River) is also my favorite summer swim spot and where I have been learning to whitewater kayak!
cbec is all things water. What is your favorite water themed song? “Meet Me at the Creek” by Billy Strings is an incredible song!
Upper River Bend Construction Begins
We are in the midst of construction on this year’s addition to our longstanding collaboration with the Water Forum that supports salmonid habitat improvement on the Lower American River. Since its inception in 2010, the Lower American River Salmonid Habitat Improvement Program has created more than 30 acres of spawning beds, established 1.2 miles of side channels, and placed 92,000 cubic yards of spawning gravel. To date, cbec has provided planning, design, and construction monitoring services, resulting in 13 completed projects across eight sites, with an additional seven to be constructed over the next five years. Watch the latest update below. The project team broke ground in mid-August at Upper River Bend in Ancil Hoffman Park, and is scheduled to finish on October 31 —just in time to greet the fall salmon run.
EcoFIP in Action
Over the past several years, cbec has collaborated with California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Floodplain Restoration and Recharge Pilot Studies to develop and improve the EcoFIP toolkit. Ecological Floodplain Inundation Potential (EcoFIP) refers to a suite of eco-hydraulic modeling tools developed to identify and evaluate physical opportunities for multi-benefit floodplain rehabilitation through levee modification (setbacks and/or breaching) or topographic modification. EcoFIP comprehensively assesses physical opportunities for floodplain restoration and managed aquifer recharge at the parcel- or river mile-scale, while providing conceptual design analysis at the project scale. DWR recently published a Story Map highlighting this work, which has been shared widely across the water resources community.
The initial pilot study on the Upper San Joaquin River (see StoryMap below detailing Phase 1 of this effort) continues, and has led to several additional pilot studies throughout California. In Pajaro Valley, the team is working with the Army Corps and several local flood and groundwater agencies to explore multi-benefit project design within a planned levee improvement project. Additional pilot studies are underway on the Cosumnes River and within the Upper San Joaquin Regional Flood Management Plan area. Stay tuned as results from the four pilot studies continue to be released in the coming months!
cbec will be presenting this work at the upcoming 2023 Flood-MAR Public Forum: Flood-MAR in Action on November 8th. Register today for an up-to-date overview of the progress on these pilot studies. More information on the EcoFIP toolkit is also available on our website.
Mentoring Future Hydro-Innovators
For the second year in the row, cbec has shared our hydrologic knowledge with the next generation of environmental scientists at Sacramento Splash's Youth Environmental Leadership Camp (YELC). YELC is an annual immersive summer program for 6th and 7th grade students that empowers youth to become change agents to improve natural habitats in the fields of Water; Climate Change and Air Quality; Energy; Food, Waste, and Consumption; and Land Use and Habitat.
As part of the Water Day program, cbec led a tour at the site of our Cordova Creek Restoration Project on the Lower American River Parkway. The tour concluded with Ecoengineer Sam Diaz demonstrating the principles of water flow and restoration on a cbec-built flume table. Using sand and controlled water, the flume table provided students with hands on experience of how water shapes and interacts with its environment. Watch the flume in action below, and see more behind the scenes construction of it here. We are looking forward to meeting the new batch of students next year, and inspiring them to work on the water resources and environmental restoration challenges we collectively face.
Learning From Nature
Our team is comprised of changemakers striving to transform our world for the good of all. We nurture this through strategic professional development opportunities that appeal to each member’s strengths and interests. A selection of this summer's activities is below.
Sagehen Restoration Short Course
UC Berkeley’s Restoration Short Course at Sagehen Creek Field Station is a training our staff have enjoyed for years, and 2023 was no exception. Nestled in Central Sierra Nevada north of Truckee, this five-day course combines a beautiful outdoor classroom setting with excellent research facilities, and instructors from multiple ecological restoration disciplines. Surrounded by verdant pines and likeminded attendees, this year’s cohort built upon the strong hydrologic foundation instilled at cbec, and returned with new knowledge to apply and share.
River & Stream Safety Workshop
cbec ecohydrologists recently donned wetsuits and ventured into the chilly waters the South Fork of the American River for a day of hazard awareness and accident prevention training. Navigating water safely is a vital aspect of a career in hydrology; one that cbec supports through various regular health and safety training classes. When our field staff are monitoring in a riparian environment, or adjusting techniques due to high flows, cbec knows that our team is prepared for the challenge. Thank you to Sierra Rescue for the thrilling (and safe) day on the water.
A Night out in the Stands
cbec staff from across the country braved the sweltering California heat for our annual summer staff party, where cold drinks and camaraderie were the name of the game. We prioritize building a team of genuinely remarkable and talented individuals that work well together on and off the clock (or field). Go River Cats!
New Faces & Company Anniversaries
cbec’s reach is growing with new staff and a remote office in Fargo, ND. The following talented individuals were welcomed to the cbec team since our last newsletter: Daniel Goranov, Stephanie Day, and Daphne Tuncer. And a hearty congratulations to the cbec employees with Q4 company anniversaries. We wouldn't be where we are today without your vital contributions!
- Chris Bowles (16 years)
- Jenna Duffin (2 years)
- Ben Taber (13 years)
- Scott Wright (2 years)
- Noelle Patterson (1 year)
- John Stofleth (14 years)
- Jon Parsons (7 years)
- Greg Shellenbarger (6 years)
Recent Events & Beyond
cbec had a strong showing last month in sunny Los Angeles at the Floodplain Management Association Annual Conference. Chris Bowles made an appearance, while Michael Founds served as a panelist on the “Floodplain Expansion, Restoration, and Recharge” session, and Scott Wright presented on RD108’s landscape-scale Floodplains Reimagined project. In August, the National Stream Restoration Conference welcomed Jai Singh in Baltimore to present the Hallwood project. That same month, Luke Tillman presented EcoFIP at the American Fisheries Society’s 153rd Annual Meeting in in Grand Rapids. Catch his presentation below.
In November Michael Founds is presenting at the 2023 Flood-MAR Forum. This event is heralded as the premier destination to explore technical, socioeconomic, regulatory, and policy considerations to advance implementation of projects that use floodwaters for managed aquifer recharge (Flood-MAR). We hope to see you there! Register today.