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Backsights Foresights
Fall
SPRING Winter 2015 2020
Biannual Semiannual newsletter newsletter createdon forcompany Houstonprojects, Engineering, news,Inc.'s and clients events.and employees
RESILIENCE
In a busy, modern world dealing with COVID-19, the challenges we face can feel overwhelming. Change is never easy and many solutions seem as complex as the problems themselves. As we come to a close on a tough year in our collective history, we have focused our stories on a common theme of resilience. When we summon the strength to keep trying, move forward, and come together on common ground, we can reach our collective goals. Whether it's creating reliable infrastructure, supporting a healthy ecosystem, or building a better world for the next generation, this issue is a celebration of that resilient spirit.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Defining Flood Risk Case Study: Drone and Mobile LiDAR Outdoor Opportunities Featured Service Area: Stream Restoration Replacing Dams Along the Pelican River Project Snapshots Remembering Chuck Rebsch Employee Spotlights News and Events
After seeing the aftermath of a flood, Lisa always remembers those affected by her daily work.
DEFINING FLOOD RISK
Preparing for the future by facing our region's past SURVIVING 100-YEAR FLOODS
Floods are among the most extreme natural disasters we face in our region. With an abundance of water, snowfall, and flat topography, many of our staff have chosen the engineering profession based on their personal experiences with community flooding. As snowmelt and rainfall flood events become more frequent and extreme, HEI leads the way in building resilient communities that can withstand these risky conditions.
What is Risk MAP? Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) is the FEMA program that gives communities flood information and tools to build response plans and take actions to protect their citizens. 2
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For the many communities in our region that have witnessed once-in-a-lifetime floods firsthand, this security means a lot. While attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND, Lisa Odens visited a disc golf course adjacent to the Red River. She was struck by the odd lines of lilac bushes and sunken holes in the otherwise flat landscape. She finally put two and two together when a friend mentioned having a relative who used to live around the corner. This was a neighborhood before the catastrophic Red River flood of 1997 destroyed homes within the water's path. Lisa now works as an instrumental member of our Risk MAP and floodplain management team, serving as a certified floodplain manager (CFM) to help communities prepare for and protect themselves against this very real threat.
Gregg helps prepare sandbags in the spring of 2019 for flood preparation in Fargo, ND.
Building flood resiliency has been a key focus of Gregg Thielman’s career, first as an investigations engineer with the North Dakota State Water Commission (NDSWC) and now as the project manager for many of HEI’s Risk MAP and floodplain management projects. As a CFM, Gregg sees firsthand how coordinating solutions involves a complex mix of partners, physical factors, and FEMA standards. Since 2005, Gregg has led a multidisciplined team across several offices to address key factors and issues. “We are veterans of flood-related projects,” says Gregg. “We understand the flood risk citizens in the area live with daily. We have seen the effects of flooding firsthand and recognize the importance and value of accurately defining flood risk and providing these resources.”
COMPREHENSIVE PROJECTS FOR COMPLEX ISSUES
Unfortunately, managing floodplains comes with unique challenges that include environmental and social factors. While floods bring an immediate threat to physical wellbeing, survivors can also face debt and a range of financial challenges in the aftermath.
From a scientific standpoint, local floodplain managers and decision-makers need to understand how the water will physically move during a flood and how to react to mitigate flood risk for the community. What data should be referenced if a flood is imminent? How should counties communicate, and who directs flood fighting efforts? From a social standpoint, homeowners and businesses must understand if their existing structures lie within a floodplain, where they should build to safely avoid risk, and how they need to insure themselves to mitigate potential risks. One way HEI helps create tools to ease these concerns is through FEMA's Risk MAP program.
FEMA FIRM panels show detailed views of areas within flood hazard zones. past 15 years to help implement their mapping program along with local partners. We have also guided projects in Minnesota and South Dakota.
MULTI-FACETED APPROACH
MODELING AND MAPPING LOCAL WATERS Each project typically begins with a complex study of waterways within an assigned Risk MAP provides mapping and flood study area. For miles of study along modeling information that helps local rivers, lakes, and streams, HEI engineers decision-makers make informed choices will perform hydrologic and hydraulic to reduce flood risk. In the event of a modeling to better understand how flood flood, Risk MAP equips them with upwater would travel across the land for to-date flood maps, risk assessment various flood scenarios. These studies tools, and outreach support. If provide local water managers with a better extreme conditions occur, local understanding of their waters and flood risk. governments are prepared to respond and will not be caught off guard. The work often involves survey crews checking data in the field for accuracy In most cases, the projects also include and our geographic information systems preparing countywide digital flood (GIS) staff mapping local features against insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) along key data including highways, roads, with flood insurance studies (FISs) for railroads, political boundaries, and lakes. local rivers and streams. The outputs Data feeds from many sources and is are FEMA databases and map panels— stored in one large geodatabase. The essentially visual categorizations that final results include digital boundaries show flood risks ranging from high risk and maps that provide a physical look special flood hazard areas to areas at the risks that can help communities of low flow risk—for any given area. identify the best ways to mitigate them. In North Dakota, we have partnered with the NDSWC and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) for the
IDENTIFY RISK
ASSESS RISK
Project Highlights more than
400 panels 20 DFIRM and Risk MAP
projects in the Upper Midwest approximately
725 miles
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of flood insurance studies along ND, MN, and SD waters
certified floodplain managers on staff
COMMUNICATE RISK
MITIGATE RISK
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CASE STUDY: DRONE AND MOBILE LIDAR
At the forefront of a changing industry
US Highway 14A winds through the Black Hills of South Dakota, carving its path along steep cliffs and through dense forests. Vertical bluffs and loose rock make traditional survey methods more difficult and dangerous at this location, and the South Dakota Department of Transporation (SDDOT) was concerned about rough terrain that could result in safety hazards.
Chad Qualley Survey Administrator and Drone Operations Manager cqualley@houstoneng.com
Click to learn more online
HEI was contracted to complete this survey using traditional survey along with mobile- and drone-based LiDAR, making us the first firm to use this method of survey for the SDDOT. LiDAR—which stands for Light, Detection, and Ranging—is a method of measuring distances (ranging) by illuminating the target with a laser and measuring the reflection with a sensor. Traditional surveying methods were used for portions of the project; however, mobile- and drone-based LiDAR were the primary methods of data collection. Once the project area was flown, HEI took the raw LiDAR data and completed a full feature extraction of the corridor, meaning signs, pavement, trees, and more were identified within the 585 million points that were obtained. The introduction of mobile- and drone-based LiDAR has allowed us to quickly and easily capture millions and even billions of data points through a project corridor just like for this project. The reality of this and many other surveys is that, while it's possible to get results via traditional means, LiDAR allows us to capture more data more efficiently, saving costs for our clients while improving safety for our surveyors. In addition to meeting the SDDOT's needs, this project serves as a great example of how the benefits of HEI's LiDAR tools open up survey possibilities that weren't possible before. As a result of these efforts, the SDDOT received an extremely accurate data set for this corridor while reducing survey hours and minimizing safety risks. Surveying is a profession that has remained revelant by embracing new technologies as they come along. Drone- and mobile-based LiDAR is the industry's latest step forward. There are well over 1 million black dots on this page the size of a period at the end of a sentence. If we were to accurately represent the more than 3 billion points of data obtained through a typical LiDAR survey HEI completes, we would have to print this page 3,000 times!
Colorized point cloud imagery from a drone-based LiDAR survey
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OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES
Finding space and calm outdoors helped keep us sane and healthy during a trying year PARKS TOOL, NORTH DAKOTA
The sun is bright and beaming on a bike ride through a park laden with recently fallen leaves. This location was picked thanks to a new tool that aids users in finding outdoor activities to engage in throughout the state. HEI is currently doing a recreational inventory of the parks in North Dakota, which will include additional features and exploration of the state's existing recreational compass. You can use the tool to search park features, activities, accommodations, points of interest, and day-use facilities. The new viewer will be deployed on January 1, 2021. • View the existing search tool here: https://bit.ly/33K8h2W or • HEI's promotional video here: https://bit.ly/3oqDBvv HEI is adding functionality at the park level for future use of the tool. At the state level, the tool will serve as the backbone for asset inventory.
MULTI-USE BIKE TRAIL, OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RANDALL CREEK RECREATION AREA, SOUTH DAKOTA In the spring of 2019, the bridge connecting to the Randall Creek Recreation Area washed out. This took the campground out of service for visitors for the entire summer season in 2019. Visitors missed out on their planned excursions while the park lost potential revenue. Erosion from floodwaters led to the failure of the bridge, which provides the only access over Randall Creek to more than 100 camping sites. HEI completed design for a new bridge, extensive bank stabilization, and new riprap to protect both the bridge and the bank against future erosion. The project team worked quickly to complete construction by mid-June of 2020 so that the recreation area could open to visitors during the busy summer season.
PARKS AND TRAILS SURVEY, WATONWAN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Breathing in fresh air while exploring the natural beauty Otter Tail County has to offer is now at the grasp of those who wish to capitalize on the addition of more than 30 miles of new trail in this picturesque area.
Watonwan County is preparing its first parks and trails master plan. The intent of this project is to establish a plan within the county that will provide a long-term vision and implementation process of various park and trail types.
Several years ago, the Otter Tail County Highway Department began an ambitious trail project that would create a trail system between Pelican Rapids and Perham along a newly established corridor. Creating a trail between these two cities will provide active users with the opportunity to keep moving in all seasons.
The County is committed to providing residents with the best park and trail network possible. An online survey was prepared by HEI to better understand residents' satisfaction with the county's parks and trails and what can be done to improve the outdoor experience.
HEI is completing preliminary and final design, surveying, environmental permitting, aquatic resources (wetland) delineation, culvert sizing, and public engagement. Construction is planned for 2021 and 2022 for all segments of this new trail system.
The finalized plan will be presented in the spring of 2021 to all stakeholders in printed and electronic formats along with GIS mapping for use as a planning tool for the County. The survey can be found here: https://bit.ly/39IHRlM
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Featured Service Area:
STREAM RESTORATION
What is the goal of restoring something? To bring it back to life! Stream restoration projects enhance recreational opportunities for communities while bringing life back to eroded and damaged waterways.
Watershed Assessment and Stream Diagnostics Assessing a watershed can give a more complete view of issues and solutions.
FIXING HUMAN-MADE PROBLEMS
What have humans done to cause erosion along streambanks? Dam failures, sediment buildup, culvert and bridge installations, channel straightening, and high water flows have all been linked to causing streambank erosion. Dams have historically provided recreational opportunities and water supply to communities. However, dams can also produce several negative side effects, such as erosion and restricted fish migration. In recent years, agencies across the Upper Midwest have acted to remove dams and replace them with ecologically beneficial alternatives. Dam replacement alternatives such as rock riffles and rock arch rapids improve safety for residents, re-establish and maintain desired water levels, and can create a barrier-free aquatic organism passage. They also enhance communities with naturallooking landscapes that feel more at home in nature than concrete dams.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
Stream restoration goes beyond stabilizing stream banks. Most projects also present an opportunity to restore the native aquatic communities. By zooming out to see the full picture, we can truly understand what’s happening on a watershed-level scale. Where is the water coming from in the watershed? How much force is it flowing with? What is causing the problem on site? These are all bigpicture considerations that require viewing the issue from a wider lens. By starting at this high level, we can assess how all waterways are interacting with each other and the 6
Fall/Winter 2020
Tim Erickson, MS, PE
Ecology Our staff look for opportunities to restore native communities during stream restorations. We look for ways to enhance aquatic ecosystems while ensuring infrastructure needs are met.
Drew Kessler, PhD
Project Implementation and Funding
Emmy Baskerville, Donna Jacob, CMWP PhD, PWS, CMWP
We plan, transfer, engage, and communicate to successfully win grant dollars to implement restoration projects.
Concept Designs
Erik Jones, MS, PE
Project alternatives are designed to enhance the surrounding community.
Greg Bowles, PE Lisa Odens, PE, CFM
Ted Rud, PE
We have a dedicated stream restoration team that can complete every stage of a project. watershed. This also ensures that the aquatic ecosystem is enhanced. We address a variety of concerns, such as bank stabilization, flood resilience, fisheries production, and invasive species management. Our scientists and engineers offer creative insights to stream restoration that provide both ecosystem function and infrastructure improvements. A healthy stream or river system is resilient enough to handle challenges that come its way.
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENTS
Safe recreational opportunities and enhanced neighborhoods are added benefits of any stream restoration project. These updated community spaces will be used by residents for
Hannah Rollin, PE Bennett Uhler, PE
years to come, so the overall project goals and interests must reflect those of many stakeholders. Our staff understand the importance of keeping a neighborhood’s aesthetic while also improving aging infrastructure. Artistic renderings and concept drawings help stakeholders and the community visualize and influence the end project.
Fish Passage Improvements and Ecologic Benefits to the Cottonwood River Redwood County, MN The Cottonwood River is a natural habitat for more than 60 native fish species. To improve fish migration and provide safer fishing opportunities, three dams were removed and replaced with rock arch rapids or riffle structures. Residents of Sanborn and Lamberton now have natural-looking rapids that provide safer fishing and recreational opportunities in their communities.
Before
The Sanborn Farmers Golf & Health Club uses water from the Cottonwood River to feed their irrigation system. We worked with golf course staff to maintain this water supply after the dam was removed and the rock arch rapids were constructed.
Hallock Dam Rock Fishway Retrofit
Before
Hallock, MN Recent fish surveys conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have found that 13 of the 43 species present in the South Branch of the Two Rivers are absent upstream of the dam in Hallock. The City commissioned HEI to retrofit the Hallock Dam with a rock arch rapids fishway.
Restoring Wild Rice to Lake Ogechie Mille Lacs County, MN Due to the construction of a logging dam on the Rum River in 1933, an ecologic decline of Lake Ogechie occurred. The dam was reconstructed in 1951 and controlled water levels for Lake Mille Lacs and Lake Ogechie. The aging dam was depleting the once dense and vigorous source of wild rice. Design and construction of a new Mille Lacs Lake Dam restored water levels
After
to Lake Ogechie to support natural ecological processes, provided rock arches for fish passage, and restored the native stands of wild rice.
Updated dam site
Once constructed, the project will: • reconnect more than 300 acres of vital habitat for local fish, such as sturgeon and catfish; • expand fishing opportunities upstream of the dam; • enhance habitat downstream of the dam with natural riffle pools; and • maintain access to recreational activities adjacent to the river, dam, and rock fishways.
Click to learn more online
Restored wild rice stands
Time lapse photos show the restoration of approximately 10,230 feet of channel of the Buffalo River to a more natural channel, which included approximately 2,650 feet through the city of Hawley, MN. Approximately 11 rock riffles were also installed to improve the aquatic ecosystem of the river. houstoneng.com
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Rock arch rapids at the former Fish Lake Dam location.
ADJUSTING COURSE
Replacing Dams Along the Pelican River EIGHT DAMS, ONE RIVER
Since the 1800s, humans have altered the Pelican River. From building eight dams along the river to stabilize lake levels, to countless repairs and replacements, the river is no stranger to change. FISH ALONG THE RIVER Many species of fish historically used the Pelican River to migrate every year, but the construction of these dams reduced the populations and diversity of species seen upstream. For example, lake sturgeon were wiped out of the upstream lakes, largely due to habitat degradation and blocked river passage.
DAMMING EVIDENCE FOR A RESILIENT APPROACH
The Fish Lake Dam set water levels for a chain of lakes on the Pelican River just south of Detroit Lakes, MN. The original Fish Lake Dam was built in 1932 and has had a long and storied history. Although the dam helped maintain water levels in lakes upstream, the long-term harm to aquatic organisms and human safety on top of other challenges was just too important to ignore. While low-head dams come with several challenges, controlling water levels also brings many benefits. The challenge is to control water levels while minimizing the drawbacks.
RECONNECTING THE RIVER
Temporary repairs were made to the Fish Lake Dam in 2003 and 2013, but a permanent solution was needed to create real benefits. The Pelican Group of Lakes Improvement District (PGOLID) concluded 8
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that installing a natural boulder arch rapids was the best permanent solution; with assistance from HEI, they applied for a Minnesota DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant for the project. HEI was hired by PGOLID for the engineering, design, and construction management. The dam replacement began in 2017 and was completed in 2018. Not only does this solution reconnect fish passage, it also helps maintain lake levels. Building on the success of the Fish Lake Dam, the Minnesota DNR partnered with PGOLID again in 2019 to complete the Lizzie and Prairie dams. HEI was contracted to complete the reconstructions from winter 2019 to summer 2020. These reconstructions reconnected fish passage for 20 miles of stream. Now that these dams are replaced with fishfriendly rapids, sturgeon are able to travel upstream again! This type of success story will be seen throughout the rest of the Pelican River and its reconnected lakes as the dams are removed to restore the resiliency of the Pelican River.
Click to learn more online
Click to learn more online
REMEMBERING CHUCK REBSCH A Long-Time Friend and Coworker Goodbyes aren't always easy, but the last one is especially difficult. This summer, we said goodbye to Chuck Rebsch, who passed away in June from Indiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Chuck was one of the first HEI staff to use CAD and a desktop computer as part of his daily work.
when there became a need for a new survey coordinator at HEI. Chuck stepped into the role and shifted his focus from drafting to surveying. He went on to earn his Professional Land Surveyor license and even served as President of the North Dakota Society of Professional Land Surveyors.
Despite his diagnosis with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Chuck never slowed down. That included showing up for tailgating and rooting for the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison football team, even when the weather turned from warm sunshine to biting cold.
Chuck again helped oversee the arrival of new technology when drones took to the skies and revolutionized the world of surveying.
Chuck was often heard before he was seen—a whistled song through his lips almost always preceded him.
At the time of his passing, Chuck was HEI's most tenured employee.
FAMILY FIRST
ALWAYS EVOLVING
Chuck grew up on his family farm in rural North Dakota and was always known as a hard worker. A graduate of North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS), he began at HEI in 1984. Chuck started in the drafting department, spending his days drawing out plans for civil engineering projects throughout the region. Chuck’s role was an evolving one, though, thanks to his ability to adapt. When HEI began using CAD (computer-aided design), Chuck and his supervisor, Larry Wurgler, were the first two staff at HEI to train on and use the system. In fact, they were the first two people to get desktop computers! Several years later, Chuck again made a major shift in his day-to-day work
While Chuck was committed and adaptive in his professional life, his family remained his most important focus. He married Nadine, his wife of 37 years, a year before his graduation from NDSCS and the start of his career at HEI. Chuck and Nadine raised two daughters who themselves have given Chuck and Nadine three much-loved grandchildren.
UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE
It's quieter these days. There are no more tunes floating through the print room. No more catchy melodies bouncing around corners and down the hallways. Chuck's music is sorely missed but will always be remembered.
Chuck was a regular at NDSU tailgating— rain or shine or snow.
Chuck's family was the center of his world, and he especially enjoyed spending time with his three young grandchildren.
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PROJECT Snapshots
If we showcased all that we do at HEI, we'd run out of pages! Here's a quick overview of some recent project updates. Southwest Windom Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Minneapolis, Minnesota
HEI's team reconstructed nearly 1 mile of roadway in the southwest Windom Neighborhood in Minneapolis. The project was located in a heavily residential area, which led to the narrowing of existing roadways to promote slower travel speeds while also reducing the impervious area. Bumpouts were also included to improve pedestrian safety.
Residents requested that the project help address the speed of vehicles traveling through this residential neighborhood.
City of Alexander 2020 Street Projects
Alexander, North Dakota
This project, completed in October, involved 14 city blocks of urban roadway design and stormwater infrastructure improvements. The streets were a mix of concrete, asphalt, and gravel, with the majority of the town having gravel roadways with ditch sections for drainage. The installation of paved streets with curb and gutter greatly improved the drainage challenges that the City and its residents previously faced. 10
Fall/Winter 2020
Our team supported public information meetings that not only informed residents about what the project was about but also allowed them to help shape the project. Their concerns included the speed of traffic as well as roadside parking. Construction wrapped up this fall.
South Dakota Wetlands Mitigation Monitoring Various locations across South Dakota
HEI’s team conducted monitoring activities at 13 different wetland mitigation sites for the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) from 2018 to 2020. These mitigation sites are required by the SDDOT to offset roadway impacts. The restored wetland sites were evaluated for wetland characteristics and vegetation diversity. Half of South Dakota is considered part of the Prairie Pothole Region. This region of wetlands provides essential breeding ground and habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife that in turn provide ecological benefits.
Lincoln Site
Summerset Site
CSAH 13 Regrade and Bridge Replacement Red Lake County, Minnesota
HEI's team designed a 0.5-mile stretch of CSAH 13 that included regrading, paving, and replacement of the existing bridge with box culverts. The roadway was redesigned to increase the posted speed from 50 to 60 mph. By replacing the bridge with a box culvert, the project removed potential safety hazards posed by the private entrances and bridge railings. The improvements provide safe sight distances for commuters to identify highway entrances and slow-moving farm equipment. While existing and future programmed floodwater impoundments upstream of the highway complicated the hydraulics of the project, they also allowed the project team to reduce the waterway opening while maintaining upstream floodplain conditions and meeting flow characteristic requirements set forth by the Minnesota DNR. The updated corridor and culverts safely serve commuting traffic and farm equipment while providing adequate open channel conveyance for both flood level and aquatic/natural resource interests.
Solid Waste Operations
Bismarck, North Dakota
HEI is currently working on the construction of the first cell for the new municipal solid waste landfill expansion for the City of Bismarck. This project is part of the ongoing services HEI has been providing for the 500-acre parcel landfill for more than a decade.
This historic bridge was relocated near a church to live on for another century.
Sims Historic Bridge Replacement and Relocation
Sims, North Dakota
The Sims bridge in Morton County, which was built in 1916, had fallen into disrepair and was unable to handle the large farm equipment that traveled along this corridor. Farmers would need to travel nearly 9 miles away to the nearest detour without this bridge. HEI designed the new double box culvert to convey the flows of Sims Creek without hindering the passage of wide farm equipment. Because the bridge was eligible for registration as a historic structure, it was offered up for adoption and relocated to a site behind a nearby church for pedestrian use.
The new landfill expansion will serve the Bismarck region for more than 55 years.
HEI provided hydrogeology analysis and construction support during a significant excavation phase of construction. In addition, HEI will be supporting the design and construction of the composite liner and leachate management system. The construction of the first cell will be completed and ready for waste in 2021.
The new double box culvert meets the needs of farmers crossing with large farm equipment better than the previous bridge had. houstoneng.com 11
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
Getting to know
SHAWN SOEHREN
Originally from Reeder, ND, Shawn Soehren earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University (NDSU). From there he began his career with the Missouri Department of Transportation as a traffic engineer before moving up to become an area engineer responsible for highways in several counties. When Shawn and his family returned home to western North Dakota, he became City Engineer for the City of Dickinson, shifting his focus to urban roadways as well as a wide range of other municipal needs. In 2012, he stepped away from the public sector and founded Boundary Engineering, where he continued to focus on municipal needs. After lengthy discussions between the two firms, HEI acquired Boundary Engineering in 2019, and Shawn became Office Manager of HEI's Dickinson office.
Q&A Describe your family My wife, Denise, and I have three children. My oldest son, Dalton, has graduated college with a bachelor’s degree and is currently working in Minot. My daughter, Brianna, is in Colorado Springs. She has graduated college with a bachelor’s degree and is currently working on her master’s degree. My youngest son is a senior at Trinity High school in Dickinson. How did you first learn about HEI and what made you interested in working here? As the City Engineer, I had an opportunity to work with Sherwin Wanner some, which made me somewhat familiar with HEI. Once I left the City, we had tried to team up on a few jobs over the years. After several discussions with Sherwin and Jeff LeDoux, I decided it seemed like a good fit, and so we made the change and came on board. What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on thus far at HEI? I would say the street paving job for the City of Alexander. When [Boundary Engineering] became the City Engineer four or five years ago, we had been trying to get them to consider doing it. Now that we have started, to see a town so happy with the improvement has been very rewarding.
Shawn and Denise at a motorcycle rally in the Black Hills.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? During the summer, I like to ride motorcycle, and, in the fall, I like to hunt. Community Involvement I am currently serving on both the Dickinson Airport Authority as well as the Board of Adjustments for the City of Dickinson. Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled and why? The most interesting place would have been our trip to Hawaii. We were able to take a family trip to explore the islands.
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Fall/Winter 2020
From left to right, Shawn, Dalton, Tanner, Brianna, and Denise (plus Max, the dog).
Hannah and Paul at one of the alpine lakes they hiked to in the Teton Range this past summer. It had an elevation of 9,698 feet.
Getting to know
HANNAH ROLLIN Originally from New Hope, MN, Hannah Rollin works as a water resources engineer on watershed projects out of HEI's Fargo office. Specializing in the areas of stream restoration and bank stabilization, low-head dam modifications for fish passage, and agriculture drainage improvements, Hannah enjoys working for the outdoors while also getting the most out of them in her downtime with her fiancĂŠ, Paul, who also works at HEI.
Hannah ran her first half marathon in 2017 with a time of 1 hour, 46 minutes.
Q&A
What do you like most about your role? Collaboration. I enjoy working through an array of project solutions and alternatives with my coworkers in a conference room (or on Microsoft Teams in 2020). Collaboration is the best way to share ideas and knowledge that will ultimately lead to a successful project. And when the project is complete, it is much more fun to celebrate with your team than by yourself. What was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had? I was a nanny for five kids when I was in high school. Kids make any job pretty interesting with the things they say and do. They have the uncanny ability to be playing nicely in the living room one minute and then falling down the stairs the next. They kept me moving and mostly laughing the whole day. We consumed a lot of corn dogs and chicken nuggets during those four summers.
Fun Facts loves to be outside and enjoys running, hiking, camping, skiing, and biking
currently reading The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
traveled to Poland for a study abroad class in forestry and photography
Are you involved in your community? If so, how? In the spring I participated in BIO (Beautiful Inside & Out) Girls as a mentor. BIO Girls is a local organization with a mission to "improve the self-esteem of adolescent girls through empowerment of self and service to others." As a mentor, I led the girls through life skills lessons and non-competitive physical activity. At the end of the program, the girls get to participate in a fun run/ walk 5K. It's a great way to celebrate all that they have accomplished and worked hard for. This year looked a lot different due to COVID-19, but I am excited to participate again next year. Any fun facts or skills about yourself you'd like to share? I love to bake sweets. I'll always volunteer to bring the dessert. Anything from chocolate chip cookies to raspberry layered birthday cake.
Hannah made a ginger spiced cake to celebrate her cat Ginger Snap's birthday, shown on the right with Hannah's other cat, Sylvie.
Hannah and her friends in Poland on a pit stop to Zakopane. houstoneng.com 13
NEWS AND EVENTS View all our recent news online
Our employees are the core of our company, and we value their commitment and contributions. Congratulations to the following employees on their milestone work anniversaries!
Service Milestones
15
25
years
years
Curt Skarphol, PE, PLS, CFedS, CFM Senior Project Manager
Jeremy Wurgler, PLS, CST Survey Crew Chief
Ryan Haring, LSI, CST Senior Survey Technician
Jeff Langan, PE Senior Project Manager/ Vice President/ Office Manager
10
years
Adam Nies, PE, CFM Engineer III
Tyler Paul Senior Technician, CAD
Casey Rieke Computer Technician
5
years
Megan Doyle Administrative Assistant
Cody Eilertson, PE Director of Operations
Nick Graham Technician II
Derek Kayser Engineer I
Kristin Michels Administrative Assistant
Jerry Neu Engineering Specialist
Rachel Olm, MS Scientist III
Ian OlsonHolmly, EI Engineer II
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Fall/Winter 2020
Thomas Kornkven, EI Paul LeClaire, Engineer II MS, PE Engineer III
Hannah Rollin, PE Engineer III
Alex Schmidt, MS, PE Project Engineer
Jeff Lutz Senior Planner
Cody Zarak Technician II
WELCOME
NEW EMPLOYEES Ellie Arpin Engineer I
David Johnson Client Development Manager
11. Our
Troy Borud Engineer I
Justin Kassen Engineer I
Bethany Fraase Accounting Specialist
Zac McEachran Scientist I
Rob Goff Technician I
Gavin Moe Communications Specialist
Victor Gronvold Engineer I
Pat Porter Accounting Specialist
Krista Hanneman Payroll Specialist
Zeb Pulkinen Technician I
Samuel Skarphol CAD/Survey Specialist
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Thief River Falls team was honored with the More Progress Award from the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce. This award is given to companies in recognition of continued progress and contributions to the Thief River Falls economy and community.
Disrud graduated from the Leadership Fargo Moorhead West Fargo program hosted by the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber. The 10-month program comprises of 40 up-and-coming community leaders and exposes participants to issues that face their region. Participants are challenged to strengthen their
community through service and leadership during and after the program.*
33. Gabe
Brien graduated from the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Community Leadership Institute. The eightweek course takes participants around Minot to learn the ins and outs of their community.*
22. Naomi
44. For
the seventh straight year, HEI was included in Prairie Business Magazine's 50 Best Places to Work thanks to nominations from our staff. HEI has been included on the list every single year since its inaugural publication. Thank you to our wonderful employees,
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who all contribute to HEI's culture, success, and values.
5 5. HEI
has offered our staff training opportunities with Dale Carnegie since 2018, and more than 25 participants have graduated from the program in just a few years. Congratulations to recent graduates Wes Keller, Joe Reiter, Hannah Rollin, Adam Walker, Brady Wall, and Jacob Wognum (pictured left to right).*
*COVID-19 forced some adjustments to how these professional organizations operated this year, but they all adapted well.
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BEST PLACES TO WORK 2020
houstoneng.com 15
1401 21st Avenue North • Fargo, ND 58102
North Dakota Fargo | Bismarck | Dickinson Grand Forks | Minot
Minnesota Maple Grove Thief River Falls
South Dakota Sioux Falls
houstoneng.com
WE MOVED! THIEF RIVER FALLS
Our teams in Thief River Falls, MN, and Grand Forks, ND, moved offices this year. We are excited to serve our clients from these new buildings. Find more details at houstoneng.com/locations.
GRAND FORKS
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Our Thief River Falls team moved down the street into a restored historic bank space.
The newly constructed Grand Forks office is easily accessible off of South Columbia Road.
Fall/Winter 2020
N Labree Ave
S Columbia Road
3rd Street E
16
32nd Avenue S
Interstate 29
Main Ave N
4th Street E