PWA

What PWA does

Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) is a privately held environmental consulting firm headquartered in McKinleyville, California, with a secondary office in Petaluma. Founded in 1989, PWA employs approximately 25 full-time professionals — including certified engineering geologists, registered civil engineers, hydrologists, and environmental specialists — who deliver science-based solutions for erosion control, watershed restoration, hydrology and water quality monitoring, road and trail planning, geological consulting, coastal geomorphology, stormwater management, GIS analysis, and civil/hydraulic/environmental engineering. The firm serves rural landowners, Resource Conservation Districts, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit conservation organizations across northern and central California, with selected engagements in Southern Oregon.

PWA's service model is project-based professional consulting supported by two ancillary revenue streams: paid hardcopy sales of the Handbook for Forest, Ranch and Rural Roads (a reference publication widely regarded as the 'bible' for landowners, also distributed as a free digital download in English and Spanish), and recurring technical training classes delivered to regulatory agency staff through venues such as the Water Boards' Training Academy and the Salmonid Restoration Federation. The firm holds a GSA Advantage schedule for federal procurement and maintains deep, repeated partnerships with at least six Resource Conservation Districts, state agencies (California State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Coastal Conservancy), federal agencies (USDA Forest Service, NMFS), and nonprofit organizations (Caltrout, Humboldt Baykeeper, Pacific Rivers Council, SPAWN). Notable credentials include expert witness testimony delivered by principals Bill Weaver and Danny Hagans at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2015.

The firm is bootstrapped, with no disclosed external investment, acquisitions, or leadership transitions outside of senior hires such as Brad Job. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts on consulting engagements. PWA's business model is built on direct consulting sales, content-driven lead generation, government contracting, and partner-channeled project work, with operational stability evidenced by a 37-year operating history and ongoing project pipeline across salmonid habitat restoration, rural road sediment reduction, and regulatory compliance support.

Name

PWA

Legal name

Pacific Watershed Associates Inc.

Website

https://pacificwatershed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Watershed Associates is a privately held environmental consulting firm founded in 1989 that provides erosion control, watershed restoration, hydrology, geological, and engineering services to rural landowners, Resource Conservation Districts, and state and federal agencies across northern and central California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB), Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance (BPAHAJAJ)

Keywords

• Environmental consulting services
• Watershed restoration planning
• Erosion and sediment control
• Geological and hydrological assessment
• Stormwater management engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Mckinleyville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Environmental Consulting Services: Full-service environmental consulting providing technical expertise to rural landowners, government agencies, and organizations on watershed management, erosion control, geological consulting, hydrology, and environmental restoration projects. Revenue generated through project fees, technical oversight contracts, and professional services.
2. Training and Workshops: PWA provides formal office and field training programs for regulatory agency staff (e.g., State Water Boards Cannabis Cultivation Regulatory Program), planners, regulators, environmental scientists, engineers, and landowners on erosion control, best management practices, and compliance assessment.
3. Handbook Sales: PWA sells hardcopies of the Handbook for Forest, Ranch, and Rural Roads at $48 per copy plus shipping and taxes. Digital download is free. The handbook serves as a key reference and revenue-generating publication.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) is a full-service environmental consulting firm offering science-based solutions for watershed management, geological consulting, hydrology and water quality monitoring, erosion and sediment control, road and trail planning, coastal geomorphology, stormwater management, GIS, and civil/hydraulic/environmental engineering. The firm also publishes the Handbook for Forest, Ranch and Rural Roads and delivers formal training classes (QSP/QSD, BPTC, erosion and sediment control) for regulatory agency staff and landowners.

Product overview

Pacific Watershed Associates (PWA) is a full-service environmental consulting firm offering a comprehensive suite of science-based services for watershed management, geological consulting, erosion control, and environmental restoration. The firm operates as a service-based consultancy with no unified software platform; rather, it delivers specialized professional services including Geological Consulting, Hydrology & Water Quality Monitoring, Erosion Assessments & Watershed Restoration, Erosion & Sediment Control, Road & Trail Planning and Analysis, Coastal Geomorphology and Ecology, Stormwater Management & QSP/QSD Training, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Civil/Hydraulic/Environmental Engineering. PWA also publishes the Handbook for Forest, Ranch and Rural Roads as a standalone reference guide and offers training classes for regulatory compliance. The company serves rural landowners, government agencies, and conservation districts across northern and central California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geological Consulting Expert geological assessment and consulting services for environmental and construction projects, including site evaluations and hazard assessments, provided by certified engineering geologists.
• Hydrology & Water Quality Monitoring Comprehensive hydrological studies and water quality monitoring services to assess and protect water resources, including stream flow gaging and hydrologic rating curves.
• Erosion Assessments & Watershed Restoration Assessment of erosion risks and implementation of watershed restoration projects to improve environmental conditions and water quality, including road-related sediment reduction.
• Erosion & Sediment Control Design and implementation of erosion and sediment control measures for construction sites and rural properties, including technical oversight of BMP installation.
• Road & Trail Planning and Analysis Planning, analysis, and treatment services for rural roads and trails to reduce environmental impact and maintenance costs, including road storm-proofing and decommissioning.
• Coastal Geomorphology and Ecology Study and management of coastal landforms and ecological systems, including tsunami research and coastal hazard assessment.
• Stormwater Management & QSP/QSD Training Stormwater management planning and Qualified SWPP Practitioner/Designer training for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) GIS mapping and spatial analysis services for environmental planning and resource management.
• Civil, Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering Engineering services for property owners including septic systems, water supply, stormwater management, and environmental remediation.
• Handbook for Forest, Ranch and Rural Roads Comprehensive guide for landowners on planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining low-impact rural roads. Published in partnership with Mendocino County Resource Conservation District. Hardcopy sold at $48 plus shipping and taxes; digital download available free.
• Rural Road Sediment Discharge Training Classes Technical training courses for regulatory agency staff on assessing land development activities, erosion control, and BPTC compliance evaluation.
• Emergency Erosion Control Services Rapid response erosion control services including emergency plans, forensic analysis, and expert witness support for regulatory compliance situations such as Cleanup and Abatement Orders.
• Workshops & Technical Training Formal office and field training programs (e.g., Erosion and Sediment Control Field School, Rural Road Sediment Discharge Training Classes) for regulatory agency staff, planners, regulators, scientists, engineers, and landowners on erosion control, best management practices, and compliance assessment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prevented approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sediment from delivering to salmonid spawning habitat in Sulpher and Carneros Creek watersheds
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mendocino County Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014PWA partnered with the Mendocino County Resource Conservation District to produce the Handbook for Forest, Ranch, and Rural Roads, funded by California State Water Resources Control Board and California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention. The handbook is described as the 'bible' for landowners on road design and storm-proofing. Both entities collaborated on a video overview of the handbook made possible by a California State Water Resources Control Board grant.
• CaltroutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with Caltrout on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project, overseeing the removal of a historic earthen railroad crossing to restore anadromous salmonid access to spawning habitat in Bridge Creek (tributary to the Eel River in Holmes, California).
• Sotoyome Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA provides technical guidance and heavy equipment oversight to the Sotoyome RCD in support of road upgrading and decommissioning treatments that reduce chronic sediment delivery to salmonid-bearing tributaries to the Russian River. Projects include Sheephouse Creek watershed work and Pepperwood Preserve Nutrient Offset Project.
• Gold Ridge Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA provides ongoing technical guidance to the Gold Ridge RCD in support of road upgrading treatments that reduce chronic sediment delivery to salmonid-bearing tributaries to the Russian River in Green Valley and Salmon Creek watersheds.
• Salmonid Restoration FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA provided major technical elements of the Erosion and Sediment Control Field School (June 13-15, 2022) in the Trinity River watershed, part of SRF's Northern California Best Management Practices Education Series funded by California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Fisheries Restoration Grant Program.
• State Water Boards Training AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPWA provided two three-day training classes (approximately 80 scientists) for the State Water Boards Cannabis Cultivation Regulatory Program through the Water Boards' Training Academy in Santa Rosa, CA in September and October 2019.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project. Also funded PWA's Erosion and Sediment Control Field School through the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program.
• California Coastal ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project in Holmes, California.
• National Marine Fisheries ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project in Holmes, California.
• Humboldt BaykeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA provides technical expertise in support of Humboldt Baykeeper's Citizen Water Monitoring Program, including flow gaging, hydrologic rating curves, and bacterial source investigation in Arcata creeks (Campbell Creek, Janes Creek, Little River) flowing to Humboldt Bay.
• Napa County Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with Napa County RCD and eight landowners to conduct road upgrading work on 20 miles of farm roads in Sulpher and Carneros Creek watersheds, preventing approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sediment from delivering to salmonid habitat.
• SPAWN (Marine Salmon and Watersheds Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPAWN partnered with PWA to implement road improvement projects on over two miles of unpaved roads in the San Geronimo Valley (Marin County) to reduce sediment impacts to San Geronimo Creek and improve steelhead and coho salmon habitat. Funded by Association of Bay Area Governments.
• Pacific Rivers CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Rivers Council partnered with PWA to conduct comprehensive field-based assessment of road-related sediment sources in Sucker Creek and Grayback Creek (tributaries to the Illinois River in Southern Oregon), funded by Ecotrust's Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative, USDA Forest Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
• Five Counties Salmonid Conservation ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program on the Erosion and Sediment Control Field School in the Trinity River watershed in June 2022.
• The Watershed CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with The Watershed Center on the Erosion and Sediment Control Field School in the Trinity River watershed in June 2022.
• Legacy: The Landscape ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Legacy and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, PWA provided technical expertise to a rural road association to reduce road-related sediment impacts to salmonid-bearing streams in Northern California, creating a win-win for rural landowners and threatened fish.
• North Coast Railroad AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project in Holmes, California.
• Ryan Rice ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project, handling construction aspects of the historic railroad crossing removal.
• Humboldt Redwood CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project in Holmes, California.
• Rice FamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PWA on the Bridge Creek salmonid habitat restoration project in Holmes, California.
• City of ArcataminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA supports the Arcata Forest Offset Program through which the City of Arcata promotes sustainable forestry via the Barnum tract of the Arcata Community Forest. PWA calculated its business carbon footprint and purchased 50 metric tons of carbon offsets through the Terrapass Arcata Forest Offset Program.
• TerrapassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPWA purchased 50 metric tons of carbon offsets through the Terrapass Arcata Forest Offset Program, equivalent to 50 round trip flights from SFO to JFK.
• Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA employees Nick Graehl and Eileen Hemphill-Haley worked with Humboldt State University and California Geological Survey on paleotsunami recurrence interval research to help California coastal communities prepare for future tsunamis.
• Morro Bay National Estuary ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with Morro Bay National Estuary Program and Coastal San Luis Obispo Resource Conservation District to implement road-related sediment reduction treatments along approximately 12 miles of road in the Morro Bay watershed.
• Coastal San Luis Obispo Resource Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPWA partnered with Coastal San Luis Obispo RCD and Morro Bay National Estuary Program to implement road-related sediment reduction treatments along approximately 12 miles of road in the Morro Bay watershed.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stillwater Sciences: Berkeley-based environmental consulting firm specializing in hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, and watershed restoration for salmonid habitats across the western US. Closely comparable to PWA in scale, geography, and core service offering (erosion control, watershed assessment, fish habitat restoration).
• WRA Environmental Consultants: San Rafael-based environmental consulting firm providing biology, regulatory permitting, wetland and stream restoration services across California. Comparable mid-size competitor focused on California watersheds and regulatory compliance support.
• Environmental Science Associates (ESA): California-based environmental consulting firm delivering biological assessments, regulatory permitting, CEQA/NEPA support, and restoration services. A larger but directly comparable peer in the same California environmental-consulting market.
• Northwest Hydraulic Consultants: Hydraulic and hydrologic engineering consultancy focused on rivers, streams, and watersheds in the Pacific Northwest and western North America. Highly comparable to PWA in its hydraulics, hydrology, and sediment-transport expertise for rural watersheds.
• Anchor QEA: Environmental and water-resources engineering consultancy with strong Pacific Northwest and California presence, specializing in shoreline restoration, fish passage, and watershed improvement — directly comparable service lines and customer base to PWA.
• River Partners: California-based riparian habitat restoration organization implementing large-scale river and floodplain restoration for salmonids. Comparable geography and focus on watershed restoration, though structured as a nonprofit rather than a fee-for-service consultancy.

Broad incumbents

• Tetra Tech: Global environmental, water, and engineering consulting firm with deep California practice spanning watershed management, stormwater, and restoration. Represents the large incumbent PWA most often competes against — or partners with — on bigger contracts.
• Stantec: Global engineering, environmental, and water-resources consultancy with significant California operations including watershed restoration, fish-passage design, and environmental permitting. Larger incumbent competing in the same customer pool.
• ICF International: Global advisory and digital-services firm with a large environmental practice covering water resources, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration, including significant California work for federal and state agencies. Broader portfolio but overlapping customer base.
• Cardno (now part of Stantec): Environmental and infrastructure consulting firm with strong water-resources, environmental management, and restoration practice across the western US and Pacific. Comparable service lines in watershed and ecosystem restoration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PWA