Oakland – November 05, 2026 -- BKF has acquired Waterways Consulting, Inc., a water resource engineering firm specializing in ecological restoration and nature-based design, adding to the 900-person infrastructure firm's push to become a full-service provider in the Western United States.
Waterways adds stream restoration, fish passage and dam removal expertise
Waterways operates from regional hubs in Santa Cruz, California, and Portland, Oregon. Its credentialed team of environmental professionals and engineers is known for stream restoration, fish passage design, dam removal and watershed planning. Clients of the firm include private companies, government agencies, special districts and nonprofit organizations.
BKF brings more than 110 years of multidisciplinary civil engineering experience, over 900 people and 20 offices. Its services span planning, engineering, surveying, program and construction management, and consulting for transportation, water, government and land development projects.
Deal follows Lotus Water integration and targets watershed-scale projects
The acquisition follows BKF's recent integration of Lotus Water and builds out the firm's water resilience practice. Lotus Water covers urban water systems and stormwater management, while Waterways contributes natural habitat and ecosystem restoration design. BKF says the combination lets it deliver integrated, watershed-scale solutions across California and the Pacific Northwest.
BKF President and CEO Darren Riegler said clients increasingly want integrated answers to complex environmental and water resilience challenges, and that the Waterways team lets BKF add value "throughout the entire project lifecycle."
Waterways clients keep project leaders and gain access to BKF's civil engineering resources
Waterways clients will retain their project leadership, project teams and established points of contact. They also gain access to BKF's civil engineering, land surveying and construction management resources.
John Dvorsky, owner and principal scientist at Waterways, said the added depth positions the team for the West Coast's most critical water projects. Matt Weld, owner and principal engineer, said the Santa Cruz and Portland teams are ready to serve BKF's existing client base.