In this episode, I talk with Steve Seville, P.E., Director of Salmon Recovery at Parametrix, about how civil engineers can drive real impact through salmon recovery engineering projects. We discuss how civil engineering for habitat restoration and ecology intersect, the role of fish passage design in watershed health, and what it takes to design environmental infrastructure that supports both communities and ecosystems.
Engineering Quotes:



Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Steve:

What led you to focus specifically on civil engineering for habitat restoration within the broader field of civil engineering?
Which types of salmon recovery engineering projects are most commonly associated with watershed restoration, and how do civil and environmental engineers contribute?
Why is salmon recovery considered such a critical issue, especially in regions like the Pacific Northwest?
What are the main causes behind the decline in salmon populations?
Can you share some examples of fish passage design and habitat restoration projects you’ve worked on and explain how project scale influences their impact?
How can the strategies used in salmon recovery be applied to other fish species or aquatic environments?
In what ways does scientific research guide the design and long-term planning of watershed restoration projects?
What recent innovations or trends are changing the way engineers approach salmon recovery and habitat restoration?
How do you typically collaborate with scientists, government agencies, and local stakeholders on watershed restoration projects?
What guidance would you offer to civil engineers who want to make a meaningful impact through environmental infrastructure design?

Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About Civil Engineering for Habitat Restoration That Drives Ecological Change:


A strong connection to nature and early experiences with outdoor activities lead many engineers to environmental infrastructure design. When those interests align with civil engineering for habitat restoration, salmon recovery becomes a meaningful and practical way to make a difference.
Projects often include watershed restoration planning, culvert replacements, and stream restoration to improve fish passage design. Civil and environmental engineers help by integrating ecological priorities into infrastructure design and construction.
In the Pacific Northwest, declining salmon populations affect ecosystems, indigenous communities, and regional fisheries. Recovery efforts give engineers the chance to support environmental and cultural resilience through thoughtful civil engineering solutions.
Human development has altered watersheds through sediment buildup, temperature changes, and barriers like dams and intakes. These changes disrupt natural systems faster than salmon can adapt, resulting in widespread population decline.
Individual culvert projects may only influence a short stretch of stream, but when coordinated across a watershed, they restore larger systems and fish migration routes.
Large-scale salmon recovery engineering projects like Washington State’s fish passage initiative show how many small fixes can deliver significant environmental outcomes.
Many of the same approaches improve conditions for other species that rely on flowing, connected waterways. Strategies that restore access, flow, and habitat structure benefit entire aquatic ecosystems.
Scientific studies help engineers understand what fish need to survive at each life stage, such as flow velocity and streambed conditions. These insights inform hydraulic modeling, land use planning, and environmental infrastructure design to support long-term habitat function.
Modern modeling software and computing power allow for ...