Stream & Wetland Restoration

Wetlands and streams are crucial transitional ecosystems from land to water, serving as wildlife habitats, natural water treatment areas, flood buffers, and scenic vistas. At Kimley-Horn, our experienced water resources engineers, wetland scientists, and ecologists are dedicated to restoring and enhancing these vital ecosystems for future generations.

With an understanding of how healthy streams and wetlands sustain biodiversity and improve water quality, we support clients through all stages of restoration projects. From analysis to site selection, feasibility, permitting, design, contract document preparation, project management, construction administration, mitigation, and monitoring, our teams are there to ensure your restoration project succeeds.

Stream Restoration

Our stream restoration services focus on returning degraded streams to a stable and healthy condition. We employ a variety of techniques to achieve this, including:

• Geomorphic Assessments: understanding the physical characteristics and behaviors of stream channels to develop tailored restoration solutions
• Natural Channel Design: utilizing natural processes and materials to stabilize stream banks, enhance habitats, and manage sediment loads
• Bank Stabilization: implementing bioengineering techniques to prevent erosion and protect property while enhancing ecological health
• Floodplain Reconnection: restoring the natural connection between streams and their floodplains to improve flood management and habitat diversity
• Sediment Control: reducing sediment input to streams through strategic design and best management practices

Wetland Restoration

Our wetland restoration services aim to restore the vital functions of wetlands, such as water filtration, flood control, and providing habitats for wildlife. Services include:

• Wetland Creation and Enhancement: designing and constructing new wetlands or enhancing existing ones to improve ecological functions
• Hydrologic Restoration: reestablishing natural hydrologic flow to support wetland health and diversity
• Vegetation Management: planting native species and managing invasive species to encourage native flora and enhance wetland biodiversity and resilience
• Monitoring and Maintenance: developing long-term optimization plans to ensure the success and sustainability of wetland restoration projects

Wetland Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

Projects that involve wetlands or streams rely on accurate quality assessments, precise wetland delineation in accordance with guidelines, and an understanding of how the wetland system may affect future land use potential. As your trusted partner, Kimley-Horn can help you navigate regulatory requirements to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Mitigation Planning & Banking

Kimley-Horn understands that many projects require working adjacent to or within wetland systems. When avoidance is not feasible, our team helps design around wetlands to the greatest extent possible, ensuring compliance with state and federal avoidance and minimization requirements. We guide clients in determining the best mitigation pathways for each unique situation—whether through off-site mitigation, wetland restoration, or creation plans—while conducting thorough cost analyses to keep projects efficient and on track.

With deep connections in the wetland mitigation banking community, we specialize in creating ecosystem, water, and biodiversity credits to offset environmental impacts and deliver measurable ecological lift. From permitting and design to implementation, monitoring, and management, we provide end-to-end guidance and have successfully closed out multiple projects on schedule, achieving full credit release in both regulated and voluntary markets.