Watershed Restoration

RCI understands that Watershed Restoration is a complex environmental endeavor that integrates a variety of technical disciplines into an ecologically functioning design. This page briefly describes six steps to successful watershed or stream restoration projects:

Site Analysis

Site analysis is the first step in watershed or stream restoration and includes:

Baseline Mapping

  • Topographic Surveys
  • Aerial Photography
  • Orthophoto Creations
  • Property Ownership Mapping

Baseline Resource Inventory

  • Vegetation
  • Wildlife Habitat
  • Soils/Geology
  • Wetlands
  • Hydrologic Condition
  • Water Quality
  • Archaeologic/Historic
  • Threatened & Endangered Species

Stream Function & Condition Analysis

Stream Function & Condition analysis combines stream typing with Proper Functioning Condition analyses to identify, interpret, and prioritize site specific problem areas and potential treatments.

Proper Functioning Condition Assessment

Includes Review of:

  • Bed and Bank Stability
  • Flood Plain Accessibility
  • Streambank Vegetation
  • Energy Dissipation

Stream Typing

Such as the Rosgen Method
Incorporates:

  • Bank-full Width
  • Gradient
  • Sinuosity
  • Width/Depth Ratios
  • Discharge
  • Riffle/Pool or Drop/Pool Ratios

Bagley Valley, CA


A comparative analysis of reference reaches and existing conditions greatly assists in stream assessment and restoration prioritization.

Alternative Development & Environmental Permitting

RCI develops and considers alternative project designs to meet the needs of the property owner while still protecting the natural functions of the watershed. RCI understands that the key to obtaining environmental permits is early and frequent agency scoping including thorough alternative development. Our experience, reputation and good working relationships with regulators facilitates efficient project permitting.

Alternative Development

Products as a result of alternative development include:

  • Preliminary Designs
  • Benefits & Impacts Analyses
  • Cost Estimates

Environmental Permits

Permits often required for restoration projects include:

  • Section 401 & 404 of the Clean Water Act Clearance
  • Endangered Species Act Clearance
  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Clearance
  • Surface Disturbance Permit
  • Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
  • State & Local Specific Permits

Project Design

Project Design incorporates site inventory and analysis with the project objectives to develop and produce:

  • Construction Drawings
  • Construction Details
  • Technical Specifications
  • Contract Documents
  • Cost Estimates

Construction Inspection

Construction inspection is a critical element to the actual implementation of a restoration project. Support during construction includes:

  • Construction Management
  • Construction Staking
  • Construction Inspection
  • Revegetation Direction

Together with an experienced contractor and detailed drawings, RCI’s construction inspectors have transformed landscapes into functioning systems.

Project Monitoring

Post construction monitoring is the final step in restoration. Monitoring results are used to evaluate restoration techniques and provide direction for other activities within the watershed. In this way, RCI’s successes are transferred to future projects.


Monitoring techniques include:

  • Water Quality Samples
  • Vegetation Transects
  • Photo Points
  • Ocular Surveys
  • Discharge Measurements
  • Post-Construction Topographic Surveys