5 Years Ago at This Time…HEC Concluded Staff Exchange with The Nature Conservancy

HEC Facility in Davis, California

ALEXANDRIA, VA—In February 2006, the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) and The Nature Conservancy (Conservancy) concluded a two-year staff exchange as part of the Sustainable Rivers Project (SRP). An engineer from HEC was assigned to the Conservancy for this staff exchange, which helped promote the partnership between the Corps and Conservancy and enhance collaboration between the two organizations.

During the staff exchange, HEC and Conservancy personnel began development of a new software program entitled HEC-RPT (Regime Prescription Tool). This program was designed to facilitate the display of hydrologic data to assist in developing river flow recommendations. HEC-RPT has since been used at SRP sites including the Willamette River in Oregon. Developing and implementing experimental flow recommendations is a central activity of SRP.

More about the Sustainable Rivers Project

SRP is a national partnership between the Corps and Conservancy that seeks to modify operations at Corps dams to achieve more ecologically sustainable river flows while maintaining or enhancing project benefits. This effort began at the nationwide level in 2002. SRP activities include modifying reservoir releases and other dam operations to create optimal conditions for ecosystems and wildlife downstream of Corps dams. At the same time, benefits such as flood control, recreation and water supply are preserved or even improved. Currently, eight rivers and 36 dams are part of SRP efforts. The project also comprises joint training courses, international outreach and technological development.

Learn More:

• Sustainable Rivers Project Article Series
• Memorandum of Understanding between USACE and The Nature Conservancy
• Hydrologic Engineering Center
• The Nature Conservancy