VHB’s interdisciplinary Stream Team helps communities reduce flooding, control erosion, and restore healthy rivers and streams, from headwaters and small tributaries to larger channels. Our specialists bring deep experience across New England and beyond, delivering successful projects in a range of settings.
Across New England, rivers and streams flow through crowded landscapes where people, businesses, and critical ecosystems are closely packed around small, heavily altered waterways. Communities face increased flooding risks from dense development and streams that have been straightened, confined, or cut off from their floodplains.
Our team has led dozens of stream and river restoration projects with scopes that include habitat restoration, floodplain improvements, and solutions for problem areas caused by undersized culverts, straightened channels, and unstable banks. We focus on practical, lasting improvements that support river health while protecting people and infrastructure.
We also provide full-service support for dam rehabilitation and removal. From feasibility and impact assessments through alternatives development, design, and permitting, we guide clients through each step. Our engineers and scientists conduct the studies needed to plan and implement projects, support construction, and prepare updated floodplain mapping and agency documentation to enhance public safety and community resilience.
How VHB Can Help
Collaboration is fundamental to our approach. VHB's commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship establishes us as a trusted partner for local officials and various organizations dedicated to sustainability, fish and wildlife restoration, and environmental impact mitigation. We aim to be the premier firm for river restoration and floodplain management projects, actively training and recruiting talented staff to expand and deepen our capabilities in response to increasing demand for our specialized services.
Featured Services
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Natural Resources Assessment
VHB offers natural resource assessments to determine the presence and extent of resources which may constrain potential development or redevelopment and/or require collateral permitting. This assessment specifically addresses wetlands/waters, rare, threatened and endangered (RTE) species, natural communities, and necessary wildlife habitat (NWH).
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Dam Rehabilitation, Design, Removal, & Permitting
VHB provides alternative analyses, feasibility studies, final design and permitting services for the repair and rehabilitation of dams to improve safety and support the generation of renewable energy. We also support dam removal and stream restoration projects of varying complexity.
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Environmental Services
With nearly 200 environmental team members in New England, VHB’s environmental practice comprises stream specialists, water resources scientists and engineers, contamination assessment and remedial design professionals, wildlife biologists, geologists, wetland and soil scientists, soil and groundwater experts, and environmental planners.
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Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analysis
We provide comprehensive riverine hydrologic and hydraulic analyses that couple technical capabilities with an in-depth understanding of state and federal regulations. These capabilities include a wide array of dam-related experience, which allows us to assist clients with dam safety-related hydraulic issues.
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Bathymetric Mapping
Bathymetric mapping plays an important role in our stream and river restoration services, offering high-resolution data on underwater landscapes. By accurately mapping the riverbed contours and sediment levels, we can develop targeted restoration plans that enhance water flow, improve habitat conditions, and mitigate erosion, providing a sustainable and balanced aquatic environment.
