Backsights & Foresights: 2016 Fall

&

Backsights Foresights

SPRING Fall 2016 2015

Biannual newsletter Semiannual newsletter created featuring for Houston HEI projects, Engineering, news, and Inc.'s events. clients and employees

RIVERFRONT RENAISSANCE Floods have had a significant impact on residents in the upper Midwest in recent years. In some cases, such as the 2011 flood in Minot and 1997 flood in Grand Forks, river levels exceeded established protection levels and caused devastation within the communities.

The City of Fargo has narrowly avoided the same devastation, including during the historic 1997 and 2009 floods, by constructing miles of emergency levees to protect the community. While these emergency measures protected the community at the time, they are not reliable for flood protection and ultimately keep the community at risk from catastrophic flooding.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Cover Story............................2 HEI Highlights........................4 Investing Dollars to Improve Water Quality Growing Our Communities: Moorhead, MN Invisible Flood Protection Featured Service Area..........9 Inside HEI.............................10 Employee Spotlight News and Events

COVER STORY continued from page 1

Rem

Relocation of 2nd Street North

Floodwall with Aesthetic Features

A 3D rendering of the floodwall along 2nd Street North NO MORE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS

In recent years, many of you have either faced the challenges of a flood or felt its lingering effects. With this experience you can appreciate the City of Fargo's all too regular and consuming efforts to construct emergency levees on 2nd Street North in downtown Fargo.

These emergency levees were constructed a remarkable eight times in the past 16 years—twice in 2013—to fight flooding in both the spring and summer. Fighting floods is a costly and time-consuming effort. The repetitive act of constructing emergency levees for one or more flood(s) every decade since the 1960s has taken a toll on the City and its residents. The City needs a lasting and permanent flood protection solution.

The ongoing F-M Diversion Project through the F-M Diversion Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a means of providing regional flood protection. Until the F-M Diversion is complete—and during larger flood events even after it is complete—permanent flood protection is needed for the 2nd Street/downtown area. This area is the home to City Hall, historic buildings, established businesses, and residents.

F-M Diversion Authority have chosen to construct a floodwall as a shield between the City’s iconic downtown and the flood-prone Red River.

“While the City has been successful to date in holding back the Red River with these temporary measures," the City states on its website, "it is vital to establish permanent protection that is far more reliable than the emergency efforts.”

UNIFICATION WITH A WALL

In the wake of what feels like a floodfighting marathon, the City and the

While this $56-million project’s primary purpose is to protect homes and businesses from the Red River, it also presents the opportunity to preserve, restore, and even enhance the riverfront that residents already enjoy.

The construction of this floodwall and related segments of the project will actually bring people closer to the river, not separate them from it.

The wall contains several removable sections that the City can quickly close in the event of a flood but will otherwise remain open and provide riverfront access.

These openings keep residents connected to a trail system along the riverfront that runs nearly the entire length of the city. Because the previous walkway was popular with residents, preserving and expanding the recreational opportunities along the river became a priority for this project.

Emergency levees were constructed on 2nd Street North eight times in the past 16 years 2

Fall 2016

Walkers and cyclists can pass through the floodwall openings and access the new pathways through a plazalike entrance decorated with planters, benches, and gateway monuments.

COVER STORY

Pedestrians can enjoy green space and pathways that border the 2nd Street North floodwall.

Plaza Area

m o v a b le

C lo s u r e

Additional access points are placed throughout the wall. New trees, native grasses, and perennial flowers keep the focus on nature. Even the floodwall itself will resemble natural limestone to keep with the theme. The floodwall will also realign 2nd Street, moving the existing roadway further from the river and creating the opportunity for more green space along the riverfront than ever before.

THE PROJECT

The floodwall will significantly reduce the need for emergency levees during flood events for the 2nd Street/ downtown area. Responses will be faster and more cost-effective.

However, creating permanent flood protection does not come without hurdles.

Located on the edge of downtown, this fully developed area required significant forethought, especially with regard to underground utilities.

Decades-old public utilities— including water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer lines—required replacement. Because of the proximity to the river, many of these utilities were more than 25 feet deep.

Nearly a dozen private utility companies coordinated with the project team to relocate their lines in a single trench. In some cases the floodwall was actually cast around these utilities.

The project is located in the heart of downtown Fargo which has been developed and re-developed many times over the past 100 years, so a number of obstacles were encountered during design and construction. These obstacles included foundations and debris from old buildings and environmental hazards requiring clean-up to create a clean

slate for the new project.

The design also looks to the future, knowing that Fargo’s City Hall will soon be reconstructed. The floodwall will allow for a possible pedestrian bridge over the top of the wall that will connect the paths in the green space to City Hall.

In the end, this floodwall project will provide permanent and reliable flood protection to a heavily populated and commercial area while preserving and expanding the existing natural elements of the area.

2nd Street Floodwalls

BY THE NUMB3RS of removable floodwall

5,277 ft

of floodwall

303 ft

$56M

5,627 ft

2,948 ft

2,312 ft

1,567 ft

2,172 ft

of storm sewer

of sanitary sewer

of water main

of sanitary sewer force main

bid price

of box culverts

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HEI HIGHLIGHTS

Case Studies WOLVERTON CREEK WATERSHED Buffalo-Red River Watershed District (BRRWD)

Investing Dollars

HEI collaborated with the BRRWD to develop grant applications and provide technical support for a project vision that will reduce sediment by building BMPs; restoring a natural, stable channel; and expanding buffers. Our estimate shows that this proposed project’s combined practices will reduce sediment in the watershed by 50%.

to improve water quality

In 2016, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) awarded more than $8 million through the Targeted Watershed Program, a program designed to protect and improve water quality in Minnesota.

These grants focus on aggressively addressing an individual watershed’s unique pollution challenges. Watershed districts and soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) actively identify problem areas and target solutions. BWSR and other funding agencies provide the funds that district managers need to move projects forward.

The Clean Water Fund grants are distributed annually and are an excellent opportunity for managers to: »» Accelerate project implementation »» Fund construction of specific projects »» Work cooperatively with your partners »» Develop and implement innovative projects

Congratulations to our clients who were awarded these significant grants!

Need help finding funding for your project?

HEI has provided assistance to many successful grant applicants through the Targeted Watershed Program and the Clean Water Fund. Whether helping identify the outcomes, developing project approaches, estimating budgets, or identifying the necessary local resources, we are happy to provide information needed for your application.

Total awarded: $2.8 million

UPPER SAND HILL RIVER WATERSHED East Polk SWCD and Sand Hill River Watershed District Portions of the Sand Hill River are impaired for turbidity in several reaches, with sediment from field and channel erosion acting as the primary culprit. East Polk SWCD teamed with HEI to determine priority areas for the watershed, implement BMPs like water and sediment control basins, and stabilize streambanks in locations that have the highest potential to improve water quality to reach goals from the total maximum daily load (TMDL) document.

HEI helped support two of the six districts that were awarded grant funding in the 2016 Targeted Watershed Program (read more in the right column).

CONTACT US Erik Jones, PE 701.237.5065 ejones@houstoneng.com

Mark Deutschman, PhD, PE 763.493.4522 mdeutschman@houstoneng.com

Total awarded: $790,240 4

Fall 2016

HEI HIGHLIGHTS

GROWING OUR COMMUNITIES MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA By providing site development, transportation, and stormwater services, HEI has helped grow our communities. Here are some projects HEI performed over the years in the Moorhead area.

Horizon Middle and Elementary Schools

First Roundabout in Moorhead

HEI provided: • Topographic survey • Staking for five new wings • Staking for concrete paving, curb and gutter, and sidewalks

34th Street

Moorhead, MN

I-94

Horizon Shores Residential Development

11th AVE. S.

12th AVE. S.

12th AVE. S.

214'

214'

66'

66'

72'

66' 66'

44th ST. S.

1/4 LINE 66'

66'

43rd ST. S.

66'

66'

67'

67'

PUBLIC ST.

4 2'

42nd ST. S.

66'

72'

72'

73'

140'

140'

74'

141'

148'

80'

85'

78'

83'

66'

S. 39th ST.

80'

80'

147'

66'

74'

80'

147'

83' 66'

78'

70'

140'

74'

75'

80'

140'

160'

5' 18

66 '

2'

14

80'

'

137

1'

15

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66

65'

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83

70'

137

80'

80'

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66'

82

131'

66'

133'

80'

66'

71'

82'

82'

65'

78'

86'

70'

83'

75'

75'

90'

66'

144'

144'

132'

42'

207'

218'

218'

197'

42'

138'

42'

150'

150'

42'

44' 42' 42'

75'

29th AVE. S.

'

134'

72' 72'

30'

72'

50

E

150'

70'

81'

'

148'

28th AVE. S.

78'

DRIV

6 4'

65

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145 '

144

142'

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204

6 2'

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66

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8 1'

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3'

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70

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82

181

42nd ST. S.

46th ST. S.

44th ST. S.

3'

143

8'

13

' 141

72

2'

14

5'

1/4 LINE

127 '

66'

66'

' 138

' 128

16

42nd ST. S.

19 5' ' 142

' 136

147'

30'

73

137'

134'

8'

14

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8 4'

76

140'

71'

IVE

86'

30'

NT

153'

DRIVE 86'

8

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139

66'

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85'

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SOUTH

70'

9'

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16

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139

IC

66

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' 71

75'

171'

86'

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9'

30'

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83

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'

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86'

145'

SHORE

75

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85

140'

78

CR

'

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121'

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78

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0'

92

30'

141

50'

72

80

9 4'

98'

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ST

145'

87'

6'

15

63' 20' 63'

6 1'

75

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9 4'

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PU

'

20

140'

80'

70

70

STORM SEWER

159'

151'

127'

1/4 LINE

141'

'

85'

72'

170

80'

147'

H

66'

72'

143'

RT

159'

55'

66'

90'

90'

145'

NO

45'

42' 50'

137'

72'

42' 45'

67'

45'

158'

116'

'

159'

'

140

26,136 feet 54'

78'

63'

66

42'

136'

63'

66'

72'

42'

78'

42'

85'

1'

150'

63'

76

16

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85

72' 144

70'

2'

76'

74'

148'

70'

15

71'

80'

79'

94'

71'

24th AVE. S.

164'

94'

76'

66'

1/4 LINE

2'

N. SHORE DR.

140'

83'

72'

20th AVE. S.

70'

18

EN T

155'

282'

140'

152'

152'

75'

40th ST. S.

41st ST. S.

36th ST. S.

34th ST. S.

155'

80'

66'

75'

S.

S.

UI PM

78'

140'

152'

75'

66'

A new regional stormwater detention pond was designed to provide more than 300 acre-feet of flood storage.

EQ

110'

78' 140'

75'

38th ST. S.

75'

1/4 LINE

73'

140'

73'

78'

S.

162'

143'

143'

151'

74'

73'

18th AVE. S. 84'

361'

364'

ST.

70'

80'

73'

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7'

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S.

158'

151'

151'

151'

151'

70' 1'

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73' 163'

75'

135

14

ST.

RR

E.

338'

73'

S.

AV

350'

73'

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AVE

th

72'

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45th

80'

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75'

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338'

338'

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ST.

34th

M

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RT S.E TE UE OT EN AV IN

MA

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RD

73'

73'

85'

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ST.

278'

66'

267'

75'

16th AVE. S.

75'

140'

86'

40th

A EN

260'

80'

66'

130'

130'

75'

140'

138'

HEI completed municipal designs for the Horizon Shores development, which included 368 new lots for homes.

42' 49'

43' 50'

130'

130'

140'

140'

144'

65'

42'

43'

14th AVE. S.

75'

20th AVE. S.

36th

368

49' 42'

50' 43'

90'

140'

94'

76'

278'

235'

235'

72'

16th AVE. S.

92'

90'

260'

124'

124'

56'

1/4 LINE

. S.

250'

181'

57'

43'

OL

AVE

557'

361'

130' 42'

14th AVE. S.

E. S. 20th AV

24th

250'

181'

6'

HO HEI took an initial SC conceptual layout and, through revisions and refinements, produced a master plan that allows ongoing development to meet ever-changing market needs.

66'

260'

298'

19

RIDGEWOOD BLVD.

24-acre site with a 59,000-square-foot John Deere and Vermeer Equipment Building

264'

E

DL

D MI

RIDGEWOOD BLVD.

RDO Equipment Co.

138'

261'

85'

521'

66'

333'

208'

111'

N

ZO

RI

217'

228'

214'

HO

377'

72'

138'

171'

111'

163'

72'

260'

200'

A

17,600 feet KO

28th AVE. S.

SANITARY SEWER INTERSTATE 94

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HEI HIGHLIGHTS

Invisible Flood Protection Protecting against floods is trickier than most people realize.

We often see only half of what protects us.

Levees. Floodwalls. Diversion Channels.

These familiar and visible tools hold back rising rivers or divert high flows away from dense populations, vital infrastructure, and even farmland.

But these tools do little or nothing to prevent flooding on the inside of the levee when torrential downpours occur and normal gravity outlets are impeded by high river floodwater.

This is where the invisible half of flood control enters the picture. And when this half works as intended, it remains largely unseen to us.

BROADWAY PUMP STATION

Stormwater in north Minot tends to flow south, racing downhill more than 200 feet toward the river—and there can be a lot of water north of the river. The Phase MI-1 watershed—the main watershed serviced by the pump station—encompasses 640 acres by itself, and that water wants to flow to a single low point. During periods of river flooding, once this water arrives at the

floodwall, gravity has done all it can.

Without intervention, this runoff would pool in low areas near the floodwall, contributing to the flooding of homes and other infrastructure despite protection from riverine flooding by the floodwall.

Minot's new Broadway Pump Station provides a solution. In these cases, the pump station takes over and keeps the water flowing. The pump station gets the water to the river, and homes and businesses stay dry.

Pump stations aren't new to the scene, they’ve served this role for a long time. What makes the Broadway Pump Station stand apart is its size and versatility. The Broadway Pump Station outsizes most others in the state because it is essentially the cornerstone for comprehensive flood control in Minot.

Pump Station Capacity

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Fall 2016

Normal Pump Station

Large Pump Station

Broadway Pump Station

Discharges 10,000 gpm

Discharges 50,000 gpm

Discharges 190,000 gpm

1,000 basketballs full of water every second

HEI HIGHLIGHTS Cut-off Channel Broadway Pump Station

4th Avenue NW

Maple Diversion Closure Structure

Broa

y dwa

Maple Diversion Closure Structure

The pump station will draw down the cut-off channel so that it can store stormwater during flood events.

el Maple Diversion Chann

DIVERSION CHANNEL

Flood protection in Minot will eventually include a feature called the Maple Diversion. This high-flow diversion channel will be used when flow rates surpass 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The City will redirect flows through the Maple Diversion and cut off a significant section of the Mouse River, allowing the cut-off river segment to serve as storage for stormwater during a flood event.

The cut-off channel will provide a significant and necessary amount of storage for more than 2,200 acres during flood events. For this river bend to serve its purpose during a flood, the City first needs to draw the water down. That’s where the Broadway Pump Station’s massive capacity comes into play.

pump water, and the pump station's impressive capacity will keep the cutoff channel from reaching its capacity as it begins to fill with stormwater.

The proposed peak design flow rate of the Broadway Pump Station is 190,000 gallons per minute (gpm), with the ability to expand in the future to 220,000 gpm.

SCALE MODEL CREATION

School field trips were highlights of the year, and we haven't lost that sense of fun and curiosity as adults. Good thing, too, because the creation of the Broadway Pump Station meant taking a field trip to a laboratory in the Twin Cities.

To maximize the efficiency of this nearly $20-million investment, HEI teamed with St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities to construct a physical scale model. Our team used the drop in elevation across the natural waterfall in Minneapolis to simulate hydraulic conveyance created by pumps.

The pump station will draw down the now-isolated segment of the river, creating the capacity to store a massive amount of stormwater. This area will provide a huge increase in storage.

When an internal rain event occurs, the pump station will immediately begin drawing water from the cut-off channel.

Once our team constructed the model, The channel's excess storage will give we invited the USACE, the City of the pump station additional time to

Minot Public Works staff, and others to see firsthand the effectiveness of the design.

The physical scale model provided the opportunity to check for and address potential hydraulic issues that could cause expensive damage to pumps and motors. The team was also able to evaluate a range of different flow rates and hydraulic conditions plus the results of each under different scenarios. These test scenarios included different operational statuses because the pump station's design proposed eight pumps, ranging from a single active pump to eight active pumps. During testing, the pump station performed exceedingly well.

The planning, creation, testing, and reporting of the model took about six months and provided an excellent opportunity for the City of Minot staff to see firsthand how the pump station will operate as well as the potential maintenance concerns.

The final plans for the pump station are currently in the review stage, and bidding is anticipated for the summer of 2017 with construction to follow.

Progress of scale model creation

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HEI HIGHLIGHTS

OVER THE YEARS: HEI'S H&H MODELING Learn about HEI's history and commitment to providing the latest hydrologic and hydraulic modeling technology to ensure successful projects for our clients.

NOW HEI uses 2D HEC-RAS to conduct a floodplain analysis for portions of south Fargo. The additional detail in the 2D analysis provided a better understanding of how water moves through the complex, interconnected floodplain in the city.

THEN 1974 The first hydrologic modeling project at HEI consisted of completing a study to locate flood detention sites within the Wild Rice Watershed District. The model was constructed by hand from USGS topographic maps and assembled on a large bulletin board. Using the physical map model, a drainage area and flood hydrology analysis was conducted for a tributary to the South Branch of the Wild Rice River that ran through four counties.

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Fall 2016

1998

HEI completed a flood insurance study for the Missouri River using GPS for the first time to survey river cross-section data. This was HEI's first large-scale use of the HEC-RAS hydraulic model for a FEMA flood insurance study.

2009 HEI worked closely with the USACE and local project sponsors to provide the F-M metro area with a hydraulic model that accurately depicts flooding scenarios for existing conditions and project conditions for the flood control alternatives that were being evaluated. We conducted the complex analysis using HEC-RAS in an unsteady environment and utilized the latest LiDAR technology to create the unprecedented model.

FEATURED SERVICE AREA

Featured Service Area: Watershed Management

TECHNOLOGY AND WORKFLOWS

Watershed districts are tasked with new challenges day in and day out. As local water management authorities, watershed districts are charged with managing complex solutions to prevent and solve water-related problems. They are simultaneously tasked with moving forward on new initiatives while upholding the history of their watershed.

At HEI, we partner with watershed districts to support their ongoing efforts so they can better serve their constituents.

Through our partnerships with watershed districts, we have refined some core values that drive our daily work:

ENSURING SUCCESS Success is measured by real solutions that are tailored to meet unique needs, provide a range of public benefits, and facilitate funding. To ensure that success is met, we: • Operate under established goals • Engage stakeholders • Secure grant funding

As District Engineer for the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), HEI developed technology solutions to assist them with permit reviews and management, including PermitDB and PermitViewer. PermitDB is a database program customized to the needs of a watershed district. PermitViewer is an online GIS application that contains geospatial information pertinent to permits, including floodplains, wetlands, drainage systems, and land parcels. These integrated solutions enable permit reviewers to have a comprehensive snapshot of the conditions that affect permitting decisions.

UNDERSTANDING NEEDS Watershed districts hire HEI for specialized expertise. We listen closely to your needs and challenges to tailor individual solutions that best address each unique issue. To fully understand your needs, we: • Listen • Collaborate • Develop a one-team culture between our staffs • Find the right solution, not the easy one

PROVIDING TRANSPARENCY Because watershed districts operate daily in the public eye, we provide transparent services to avoid conflicts. Some of the tools we use include: • Project procedures manuals outlining our working relationship with the watershed district • Stakeholder involvement plans • Clear fiscal records and communication of invoicing, project plans, and definition of roles • Problem-solving through tough issues

The Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) enlisted HEI to develop and implement a Permit and Best Management Practice (BMP) tracking web application.

The multi-phase process required the implementation of software that aggregated all the BMPs into one database, and the management and tracking of many of the CRWD’s programs.

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INSIDE HEI

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Getting to know

Randy Engelstad

R

andy Engelstad, PE, is a civil engineer serving out of HEI's Fargo office since 2009. He works with the water resources group, designing and managing construction projects that involve flood control and rural ditch systems. He's designed numerous ring dikes, drainage ditches, floodwalls, and levees throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. He's also been heavily involved with several flood protection projects for the City of Fargo, including the current downtown flood protection project.

Randy with crew members, Fargo's mayor, and Fargo City Engineer at the downtown Fargo flood protection project site.

In his spare time, Randy enjoys fishing, hunting, watching sports (especially hockey), and spending time with his family. He also has a talent for woodworking and constructed all the furniture for his kids, including a crib, toddler bed, changing table, and a sandbox with a cover that folds into benches.

Q&A What do you like most about working at HEI? We have experts in so many fields, and we all work well together, which really makes working on complex projects easier and more enjoyable. I really like working with the younger engineers as well and watching them learn and grow into great engineers as they get more experience.

Randy with his wife, Melissa, their two daughters, Kiera and Kaylie, and their two dogs, Munkie and Kowie (upper left corner).

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Fall 2016

Any fun stories from working at HEI? Doing practical jokes around the office and having fun. I actually got into a good practical joke war with Greg Thompson for a while, playing in the lunchtime cribbage league. It is a great place to work.

What has been the most rewarding and enjoyable project you've worked on at HEI? Every

project is different, and that is why it is interesting. It is nice to have a job where I get to work on so many different projects. The most challenging, by far, has been the downtown [Fargo] flood control projects with all the moving parts and coordination associated with them.

Any final comments?

Go Bison!

INSIDE HEI

Getting to know

Kody Jacobsen

K

ody Jacobsen is a civil technician who has been with HEI since 2010 and works out of our Minot office. He serves several roles at HEI, including construction observer, on-site construction manager, NACE coatings inspector, and survey crew member.

On a typical day, Kody interacts with contractors, owners, engineers, and private utility companies as well as businesses and landowners.

An alumnus from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, Kody's work focuses on the infrastructure improvement project happening in downtown Minot. When Kody isn't busy at work, he enjoys spending time outdoors. In the autumn and winter seasons, he falls back on Midwest staples: bird hunting with his dog Koko, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Q&A What has been the most rewarding and enjoyable project you've worked on at HEI?

The City of Minot Downtown Infrastructure Improvements project.

It has been very challenging because, every day, you never know what may happen or what the contractor might find.

How have technology advancements affected your work at HEI? The technology that we use in

the construction field is a savior, from GPS to iPads. Not having to carry a 350-page plan set with an 8,000-page spec book is handy. Everything is at our fingertips now.

What do you like most about working at HEI? The company has

Kody working on the Minot Downtown Infrastructure Improvement project.

amazing employees. Everyone is willing to lend a hand when needed.

The offices are laid-back, and everyone is easy to work with.

Any fun stories to share?

There are a lot of funny stories over the six to seven years I have been at HEI. From ducks flying up out of a slough as a pickup is driving into it to someone telling you, 'Wow, that antiquing release makes that concrete sidewalk look hard already.' Two minutes later, guess who’s walking through it? houstoneng.com

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INSIDE HEI

NEWS AND EVENTS

WELCOME

Chase DeVine Survey Technician Fargo

Laura Kaihoi Technical Writer Maple Grove

Wyatt Spencer Civil Technician Maple Grove

Brock Keller Civil Technician Minot

Aaron Young Civil Engineer Fargo

AWARDS & RECOGNITION Zach Herrmann graduated from the FargoMoorhead-West Fargo Chamber's Leadership program this past summer. The program exposes emerging and existing community leaders to the issues facing our region while challenging and engaging participants to strengthen the community through leadership and service.

For the third consecutive year, Prairie Business magazine recognized HEI among the 50 Best Places to Work in the northern Great Plains. Companies were nominated through an anonymous employee survey that outlined work environment, benefits, and employee happiness.

Brian Pattengale was interviewed by Prairie Business magazine about trends in engineering for the special construction issue in September.

The 4th Street South Flood Protection Project in Fargo was recognized by the American Public Works Association (APWA) as Project of the Year.

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Fall 2016

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EARNED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER (PE) REGISTRATION

Alex Schmidt, PE Water Resources Maple Grove

Steve Strack, PE Transportation Fargo

Jun "Jay" Yang, PhD, PE Water Resources Fargo

INSIDE HEI

Years

30

of

years

Service

Chuck Rebsch, PLS Rick St. Germain, PE Survey Coordinator Civil Engineer/ Fargo Vice President Fargo

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!

25

15

years

Mike Buerkley Sr. Civil Technician Fargo

5

10

years

years

Brian Fischer, CFM GIS Project Manager/ Vice President Maple Grove

Travis Johnson, PE Civil Engineer Bismarck

Dustin Buchholtz, CST Civil Technician Fargo

Dan Sunram, CST Survey Crew Chief Fargo

years

Nic Cullen, EI, CFM Civil Engineer Bismarck

Tim Erickson, PE Civil Engineer Maple Grove

Paul Hedlund GIS/Web Developer Maple Grove

Swetha Hedlund GIS/Web Developer Maple Grove

Beth Iliff Admin. Assistant Thief River Falls

Joe Jeurissen GIS Technician Maple Grove

Mike Kolb Civil Construction Technician Bismarck

Kristen Lotvedt, PE Civil Engineer Fargo

Tyler Paul CAD Supervisor Bismarck

Ted Rud, PE Civil Engineer Fargo

Adam Ruud, PE Civil Engineer Fargo

Steve Strack, PE Civil Engineer Fargo

Jerry Wallace, EI Civil Engineer Fargo

Bret Zimmerman, PE Civil Engineer Maple Grove

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INSIDE HEI

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Fall 2016

INSIDE HEI

1. Nic Cullen (pictured kneeling far left) poses with a team of athletes he coached and mentored at the 2016 Special Olympics North Dakota State Summer Games.

2. Jerry Haas (pictured far left) volunteered with the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network to help celebrate Young Professionals Day at Camp Hancock. They raised money to give back to the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Teeing It Up for the Red Cross

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3. Several employees tested their athletic skills at the Corporate Cup, an event promoting physical fitness and team building hosted by the FargoMoorhead-West Fargo Chamber.

4. Our Bismarck office employees and families enjoyed the beautiful summer weather during our annual picnic in the park.

Special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers!

5. HEI staff continue to volunteer monthly for the Ronald McDonald House Charities Share-A-Meal program in Fargo by cooking comfort foods for families with children in the hospital.

6. Our Fargo office tested their golfing skills during our annual employee golf tournament.

7. HEI hosts a tailgating spot during NDSU Bison football home games for employees and their families to enjoy.

Friends and clients are encouraged to visit! Look for the flag with our logo.

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8. Teeing It Up for the Red Cross had another successful year! HEI's 6th annual charitable golf tournament held at Apple Creek County Club in Bismarck, ND, raised $13,500 for the American Red Cross Dakotas Region.

9. Several HEI staff educated fourth graders on the dangers of invasive species and the value of different water filters during Sauk River Watershed District's annual Waterfest.

10. Throughout October, HEI employees participated in several activities, such as Office Olympics and a chili contest, to raise funds for the United Way of Cass-Clay.

Rick St. Germain's dog, Bodie, posing with the NDSU cheerleaders.

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1401 21st Avenue North • Fargo, ND 58102

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Minot

Dickinson

Bismarck

Grand Forks

Thief River Falls

Fargo

Maple Grove

HAVE YOU MADE THE SWITCH YET? NAVIGATING WRAPS WITH EASE Water quality is a major concern in Minnesota. The state has 81 major watersheds and is adopting Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) for all those major watersheds with the goal of meeting water quality standards. Farmers have a big role to play in the WRAPS process, but the process can be overwhelming.

That's why the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council worked with HEI to develop a handbook to guide WRAPS participants through the process.

You can download the FREE handbook on our website. www.houstoneng.com/news/NavigateWRAPSwithEase/ 16

Fall 2016

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Esri retired the 3.x version of the Flex and Silverlight API and Viewers this past summer, switching to JavaScript.

How does this affect you?

Various organizations built many of their web applications using Flex and Silverlight technology. This technology is no longer an option.

If you haven't made the switch to JavaScript, HEI can help. We offer consulting, training, and custom development services to ease your transition.

Contact Us Chad Nunemacher cnunemacher@houstoneng.com | 763.493.4522 houstoneng.com