WaterManaging the Lifecycle of Our Most Vital Resource.

Water is one of our most essential resources, and managing it well requires a clear understanding of the systems, communities, and environments that depend on it. From water supply and treatment to stormwater, wastewater, reservoirs, and water quality, we bring together engineering expertise, local knowledge, and practical solutions to help clients navigate complex design challenges, meet regulatory requirements, and plan for the long-term health and resilience of their water resources. When navigating complex regulations, we provide the deep localized knowledge and rapid responsiveness that entities need to buy, sell, protect, and distribute water effectively.

Water resource management starts with understanding the bigger picture—from the way water moves through a system to the needs of the people, communities, and environments that depend on it. We bring together expertise in engineering, ecology, surveying, construction management, and water resources to develop practical solutions for complex challenges. Whether addressing water supply, watershed management, infrastructure, or regulatory requirements, we build the right team for the job and work collaboratively to move projects forward with confidence, acting as a reliable and responsive partner in planning, design, construction oversight and management, project delivery, and ongoing operations.

Our Water Expertise

Water Storage & Flood Control Dams

We deliver end-to-end engineering for new and existing storage and flood control dams, reservoirs, and mitigation assets. Having prepared designs, feasibility studies, environmental assessments, construction management plans, inspections, and safety evaluations for numerous dams and diversion structures, our multi-disciplinary team excels in seepage control, embankment enlargement, spillway design, and breach inundation mapping. We partner with municipalities, irrigation districts, and industrial operators to maximize storage capacity while safeguarding downstream communities.
Water Conveyance

Reliable water delivery and storage depend on robust, well-maintained conveyance infrastructure. Our team has deep experience evaluating and rehabilitating dam embankments, spillways, and outlet structures for public agencies and private owners alike. Combining feasibility studies, seepage analyses, and advanced spillway design, we deliver cost-effective solutions that extend asset service life and protect vital regional water supplies.
River Restoration

We provide comprehensive engineering, hydrologic modeling, environmental analyses, and permitting support to restore damaged waterways and stabilize river corridors. Drawing on extensive experience in post-disaster flood recovery, channel hydraulics, and sediment transport, our team designs bioengineered bank protection, diversion structures, and riparian habitat enhancements. We collaborate closely with local agencies, private owners, and federally-funded partners to deliver definitive river solutions built for long-term stability.

Our Impact

We specialize in infrastructure delivery for regional water authorities, flood control zones, large-scale dams, and complex watershed management systems. We prioritize utility resilience, smart stormwater management, and reliable resource distribution to ensure communities remain secure and sustainable. On every system we touch, we treat water not just as a commodity, but as a critical community resource to be managed with care.

Our Impact

Our Water Services

Insights & Analytics
- Watershed & Basin-Wide Baseline Modeling
- Floodplain Land Use Restriction Analysis
- Stream Bank Stability & Geotechnical Erosion Assessments
- Automated Flow, Stage, & Water Quality Data Logging
- GIS Mapping of Regional Watershed Assets, Aquifers, & Floodplains
Planning & Design
- Regional Flood Control & Dam/Levee Engineering
- Regional Watershed Management Master Plans
- Stream Restoration, Fish Passage, & River Mechanics Design
- Large-Scale Raw Water Storage, Reservoirs, & Pump Station Design
- Sustainable Drainage, Catchment Basins, & Eco-Retention Architecture
Compliance & Permitting
- FEMA Floodplain Modeling, CLOMR/LOMR, & No-Rise Certifications
- State Water Rights, Diversion, & Allocation Permitting
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 & Section 10 Riverway Permitting
- State Water Right Diversion & Appropriation Permitting
- USACE Section 10/404 Permit Management
- GIS Environmental Impact Studies & Watershed Vulnerability Assessments
Project Delivery
- High-Accuracy Hydrographic & Bathymetric Surveys
- Real-Time Turbidity & Environmental Compliance Monitoring During Construction
- Long-Term Field Asset Tracking Apps for Dam/Levee Safety Inspections
- As-Built Certification for Public Safety & Water Storage Infrastructure

Concrete-lined canal with water cascading over a small weir, bordered by dry grass and leafless trees

Smiling man wearing a light blue Mackay polo shirt

Clint Brown

Water Market Sector Lead

“At MacKay, our approach to water resources is rooted in collaboration and problem-solving. I appreciate the opportunity to work with clients and colleagues to navigate complex challenges and create solutions that strengthen infrastructure, support communities, and help manage water resources responsibly for the future.”