Lawson-Fisher Associates

Rivers and Streams

As communities grow and develop, they are recognizing the need to understand, manage and sometimes restore the streams that profoundly impact local quality of life. Critical initiatives can range from stabilization of stream and riverbanks to channel realignment.

The increase in net impervious areas and associated runoff also necessitates in-depth awareness of potential flooding limits from rivers and streams during significant rainfall events. At Lawson-Fisher, our involvement with FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Modernization Initiative has provided the opportunity to update flood maps for numerous rivers and streams. This has resulted in more reliable products that can be digitally accessed and utilized. Our Certified Floodplain Managers are very knowledgeable about state and local floodplain regulations, including involvement with the following types of projects:

• Watershed management
• Natural stream restoration
• Erosion control and bank stabilization
• Channel re-alignment
• Floodplain and floodway determination and mapping, using GIS
• Permitting and regulatory issues

Our staff is also well trained in the use of Watershed Information System (WISE) and HEC-GeoRAS enhancing our abilities in floodplain determination and floodway analyses.