NGOs & Government Agencies
At our core, we share your passion for protecting the environment, restoring water quality and habitat, and improving opportunities for the public to enjoy and recreate outdoors. We believe environmentally conscious engineering can be a powerful tool for achieving these goals. Our team of experts has decades of experience working with environmental organizations and natural resource management agencies to develop creative solutions that restore and protect habitat while promoting environmental stewardship. We take a collaborative approach to our work, often working closely with several stakeholders to understand each project’s unique needs and goals. Whether you’re working to identify and prioritize restoration opportunities, addressing critical habitat issues, or need help navigating the design, permitting, and construction planning process, we’re here to help achieve your goals and positively impact the world for everyone to enjoy.
Case Study:
Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve
Client
Sacagawea Audubon Society
Project Description
Over the past three years, Confluence has worked with the Sacajawea Audubon Society and Montana Freshwater Partners to design a unique restoration project within a wetland preserve adjacent to downtown Bozeman, Montana. The work included developing a conceptual wetland and site layout plan to restore the wetland and improve existing infrastructure. Confluence is currently finalizing the project plans and initiating the required permitting for the restoration work, with a construction management and oversight phase planned for 2024.
Anticipated Accomplishments
- Restore wetland complexity and vegetative diversity
- Encourage recreational use while accommodating wildlife needs
- Provide a local source of mitigation credits to offset wetland impacts in Gallatin Valley
Project Elements
- Wetland delineation and functional assessment
- Hydrologic monitoring
- Conceptual design and project planning
- Cost estimation
- Wetland mitigation crediting planning
Case Study:
Sevenmile Creek Restoration
Client
Prickly Pear Land Trust
Location
Helena, MT
Project Description
In 2016, the Prickly Pear Land Trust embarked on a 5-year plan to restore over three miles of Sevenmile Creek in the Helena Valley. This ambitious project included four phases of stream and wetland restoration to address severe channel incision, chronic bank erosion, channelization, and loss of riparian function. Confluence was retained by PPLT to prepare conceptual and final designs to improve floodplain connectivity by constructing inset floodplain features and relocating the channel to its historic alignment and elevation. Aquatic habitat complexity was restored by incorporating woody debris and willow brush layering along the reconstructed pool features. Confluence also assisted PPLT by providing construction management and oversight services throughout the project, which was built over three years.
Accomplishments
- Relocation of 2,700 feet of incised channel to its historic floodplain
- Inset floodplain features along 1,800 feet of incised channel
- Installation of 4,000 willow sprigs
- 74 mature willow transplants
- 7 acres of revegetated floodplain and wetlands
- 1,500 feet of juniper fascines
- 180 habitat boulders
Project Elements
- Topographic and bathymetric survey
- Use of LiDAR surface for design
- Conceptual and final design plans
- Wetland delineation
- Regulatory permitting
- FEMA floodplain mapping and CLOMR
- Construction management and oversight
