Our Work

River Rangers have many options to serve your waterway management needs

Our Typical Process

Consultation

Schedule a free consultation to review the specific needs for your project. We will scout your exact project location.

Proposal

We will provide a proposal to address all permitting, remediation, and other project specifics along with documentation of the project location, size and scope.

Permitting

While not always needed, most projects require at least one permit. We can act as your authorized agent to secure the permits needed for the project.

Remediation

Ensuring compliance with all permitting requirements, we can provide oversight of the project, or direct management through to the final report.

Woody Debris Management

Managing Large Woody Debris (LWD) in waterways is our passion. With so many waterways that continue to see blockages which cause flooding, erosion, or simple safety hazards for paddlers and recreators, it is important to ethically address the LWD in the waterway. River Rangers assess debris and the impact on the riparian, the impact to recreation, and the impact on infrastructure. We create reports for various agencies to provide a comprehensive approach to remove or repurpose the LWD for the health of the waterway and for human safety. Repurposing the debris allows the natural biomass to remain, which is great for retaining and creating habitat, while restoring the waterway to healthy, natural flow.

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Hazard Identification
Authorized for Sensitive Areas
Flooding Concerns
Aerial Photograpy
Dangerous or Compromised Infrastrucure
Repurpose Natural Debris When Able
Biodegradable Lashings

Bank Stabilization

Waterways that flood due to Large Woody Debris (LWD) buildup often leads to significant bank erosion, especially when next to farm fields. Farms can loose 15 feet or more of river frontage each year from bank collapse. The increased erosion leads to loss of soil which increases sediment in the waterways being transported downstream. Additionally, runoff from farm fields that is not reduced from natural, biofilters, can cause significant increases in algal blooms and lead to other harmful levels of contaminants and pollutants which disrupt the ecosystem. River Rangers are able to restore riverbanks using natural and recyclable materials that reclaim lost banks and reduce the amount of soil loss.

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Tires and Trash

Tires and trash are an unfortunate reality in our waterways. Every year thousands of volunteers assist in the removal of debris that does not belong. Volunteers can only do so much, so tire recyclers are often called to remove large deposits. Unfortunately, many of these dump grounds are in deep ravines, wetlands, or other hidden or protected areas. When the dump is too hard to get to, or will cause damage to the area, many sites are simply ignored or classified as “impossible.” That is where we come in. We have developed a low impact method to extract any number of tires without the need for heavy equipment or damage to the area.

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Diver Services

Occasionally, projects require additional assessment and remediation beneath the water line. This is where our certified dive team comes into play. From installing buoys to running our underwater chainsaw to free debris, cleaning up dump sites, or providing photo and video documentation of constructed structures, our divers provide unique advantages to your waterway needs.

Hazard Reporting

We will walk, float, or fly to your project location to get a comprehensive understanding of the size and scope of your project. We are able to see your project from every angle, allowing you to see your project from every angle as well. From identification of previously unknown hazards to observation of new erosion issues, our scouting reports will provide you with the information you need to tackle the next project. Our approach includes research on each waterway to determine which agencies have jurisdiction over the project. Permits are often required, sometimes from several agencies, and we know how to navigate the process and develop a plan in our reports to guide you to a successful remediation.

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Community Education

As a nonprofit organization, we have an obligation to enact change in our communities. As avid paddlers, we want to see the health of the waterway resources improve and exist for many generations to come. As pioneers in waterway management and stream restoration, we are honored to share our experiences to the public through our articles, seminars, and speaking engagements. We now have been asked to consult with various organizations and governmental agencies to provide collaborative ideas and solutions to complex problems. We even help some funding sources to develop their programs to increase the impact of waterway management for conservation, recreation, and economic development purposes.

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Scouting and Consulting

The biggest issue in many waterways is often well known. Sometimes, the problem is more subtle. Either way, River Rangers is willing and able to scout your waterway issue to help determine a course of action and next steps to address the problem.