Watershed Science and Design is a woman-owned consulting firm located in Boulder, CO, that was built with a focus on developing sophisticated, creative, and science-based solutions to river management problems. We bring a vast comprehension of river science, geomorphology, engineering, and hydrology and stay current with the latest research and practices in the field of stream management. We understand how human actions and interventions can influence a river system—and vice versa—and immerse ourselves in helping our clients navigate the interconnectedness and inter-dependencies of the physical and social landscape within watersheds and river corridors.
Our Character
Invested
We are unbiased and honest. Every day we put our client’s goals first.
Collaborative + Flexible
We value working with diverse partners; we are flexible and we adapt quickly to changing rules and constraints.
Sophisticated
We are professional, established industry experts.
Mission + Values
We are a firm that excels in the synthesis of information in order to provide guidance and support decisions. In doing so, we work to honestly represent facts and data, understand uncertainty, and communicate confidence. We seek diverse perspectives, welcome constructive feedback, and work to incorporate new knowledge and understanding. We prioritize the fulfillment our commitments to our clients, business partners, and stakeholders over profitability and work to provide solutions that reflect a deep understanding of the unique and complex relationships between humans, water, and the landscape.
Our Staff
Katie Jagt, PE, CFM
Senior Engineer + Fluvial Geomorphologist
Katie is the founder of Watershed Science and Design and a senior engineer and fluvial geomorphologist with 16 years of experience working in the river restoration and flood management industries. She holds a master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to do post-graduate research at TU Delft in The Netherlands on the intersection of flood management and river restoration.
Katie’s specialties include risk-based flood planning and river restoration projects, fluvial hazard zone mapping and mitigation, hydraulics and hydrology, sediment transport, floodplain reconnections and riparian function studies. She’s spent years in the design, analysis, and implementation of “multi-benefit” projects that provide water quality, safety, and environmental value to river systems and their communities. Katie also developed and published risk-based analysis methods for quantifying the ecologic or agricultural benefits/impacts of large-scale river and reservoir re-operations projects. She was the deputy program manager for the State of Colorado’s 2013 Emergency Watershed Protection flood recovery efforts and is a lead author of the State of Colorado’s Fluvial Hazard Zone Delineation Protocol. She is also a board member of River Restoration Northwest.
Licenses + Certifications
Professional Engineer: Colorado and California
Certified Floodplain Manager
FAA Commercial Drone Pilot
Awards
Outstanding Project American Public Works Association (APWA) CO Chapter (2019): Colorado Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Engineering Excellence Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (2018) : Colorado Emergency Watershed Protection Program
National Presidential Award for Innovation Council of State Community Development Agencies (2017): State of Colorado: Watershed Resilience Pilot Program
Climb to Safety award for excellence in flood recovery Colorado FRRC (2016): 2013 Colorado Flood Recovery
Best Infrastructure Investments with Co-Benefits NY Rising Governor’s Award (2014): Tropical Storm Irene Flood Recovery in Jay and Keene, NY