The Flatwater Group
The Flatwater Group is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based environmental consulting firm founded in 2000 that provides water resources engineering, restoration design, watershed evaluation, and water policy implementation support to Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts, state agencies, municipalities, and federal partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersLincoln, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Flatwater Group does
The Flatwater Group (TFG) is a Nebraska-based, multi-service environmental consulting firm founded in 2000 that specializes in water resources engineering, restoration design, environmental planning, and watershed evaluations. The company is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a secondary field office in Imperial, and serves primarily government clients including all 23 of Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts, the State of Nebraska (Department of Natural Resources, now part of the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment), Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, municipal governments, and federal agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NRCS, USACE, USFWS, and FEMA. TFG delivers its work through four integrated core service lines: Natural Resource Planning & Design (lake, stream, and wetland rehabilitation), Specialized Field Investigations (drone-based LiDAR and multi-spectral imagery, bathymetric sonar surveys), Water Policy Implementation Support (technical engineering for interstate compacts and water rights), and Watershed Evaluations (HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, 2D HEC-RAS, and SWAT modeling).
The technical backbone includes a DJI drone fleet with FAA Part 107 commercial pilots, a boat-mounted Sonar M8 bathymetric system integrated with GPS, and proprietary tools such as the CONSORV surface water model built on the Stella/iSEE Systems platform, developed for the Lower Platte River Consortium's drought contingency planning and tied to a successful WaterSMART grant award. The firm employs a multidisciplinary team of P.E.-licensed engineers, a natural resource economist, GIS specialists, FAA-certified drone pilots, environmental planners, and engineering technicians, most with University of Nebraska-Lincoln backgrounds in Biological Systems Engineering.
TFG generates revenue exclusively through project-based professional services contracts with public-sector clients. Its go-to-market relies on competitive bidding (RFP responses, qualifications-based selection) and on long-term embedded relationships with Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts and the state DNR, reinforced by two decades of continuous technical support across all six of Nebraska's interstate water compacts, decrees, and agreements (Republican River, Upper Niobrara, South Platte, Big Blue, North Platte Decree, and PRRIP). TFG operates as a privately held, management-owned firm with no venture capital or outside equity ownership.
The Flatwater Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Flatwater Group
- Legal name
- The Flatwater Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://flatwatergroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Flatwater Group is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based environmental consulting firm founded in 2000 that provides water resources engineering, restoration design, watershed evaluation, and water policy implementation support to Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts, state agencies, municipalities, and federal partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Flatwater Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance (BPAHAJAJ), Wetlands & Waters of the U.S. Delineation / Riparian Assessments (EUAHAHAC)
Keywords
Where The Flatwater Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lincoln
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Flatwater Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Environmental Consulting Services: Professional consulting services for water resources engineering, restoration design, planning, and environmental engineering. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with government agencies, Natural Resources Districts, and municipalities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
The Flatwater Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Flatwater Group is an environmental consulting firm that provides water resources engineering, restoration design, planning, and environmental engineering services. Offerings span lake, stream, and wetland rehabilitation; drone-based and sonar-based field investigations; technical support for Nebraska interstate water compacts and policy implementation; and hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic watershed analyses. Services are delivered to government agencies, Natural Resources Districts, municipalities, and selected private clients across Nebraska.
Product overview
The Flatwater Group is a multi-service environmental consulting firm that operates as a single, integrated service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The company provides four interconnected core services: Natural Resource Planning & Design (lake, stream, and wetland rehabilitation), Specialized Field Investigations (drone, sonar, and survey capabilities), Water Policy Implementation Support (technical engineering for Nebraska water policy), and Watershed Evaluations (hydrologic and hydraulic analyses). These services are delivered as an integrated consulting offering, with specialized field investigations and watershed evaluations providing foundational data and analysis that inform the planning, design, and policy support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Natural Resource Planning & Design Planning and design services for lake, stream, and wetland rehabilitation, including topographic and bathymetric surveys, shoreline stabilization measures, bioengineering design, spillway planning, sediment/nutrient trap design, and wetland mitigation. Services span conceptualization through final construction observation for government agencies, NRDs, and municipalities in Nebraska.
- Specialized Field Investigations Specialized field investigation services including topographic and bathymetric surveys, multi-spectral drone imagery and LiDAR data collection using FAA Part 107-certified pilots, environmental sampling, stream flow stage monitoring, and boat-mounted Sonar M8 bathymetric surveys integrated into AutoCAD for lake bottom surface modeling.
- Water Policy Implementation Support Technical engineering support to public agencies implementing Nebraska water policy initiatives, including resource scheduling, budget management, surface water and groundwater modeling, stream gage analysis, database development, and GIS management. Supports all six Nebraska interstate water compacts, decrees, and agreements.
- Watershed Evaluations Comprehensive hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic analyses including rapid geomorphic assessments, sediment transport and bank stability analysis, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and 2D HEC-RAS modeling, stable channel design assessments, and watershed sediment yield modeling with SWAT for public agencies in Nebraska.
Quantifiable outcome
- 120 ecosystem restoration projects identified across 12 different NRCS practices with approximately $8 million planning-level cost estimate
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Flatwater Group
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Flatwater Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
The Flatwater Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Lower Platte South NRDcoreTFG has a strong working relationship with Lower Platte South Natural Resources District on multiple projects including Little Salt Creek Watershed Plan, Marsh Wren Saline Wetland Restoration, and Middle Creek Grade Stabilization. LPSNRD is the contracting agency for watershed plan-environmental assessments under NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program.
- Nebraska Department of Natural ResourcescoreTFG has worked closely with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (now part of Nebraska's new Department of Water, Energy, and Environment) for over two decades providing technical engineering support for water policy initiatives and interstate water compact implementation.
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART ProgramcoreTFG led successful funding efforts with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Program, helping secure a Drought Response Program grant award. TFG developed the Lower Platte River Consortium Conveyance Tool (CONSORV) for evaluating alternative management strategies.
- National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreTFG develops Watershed Plan-EAs under NRCS's Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program. Projects include 120 ecosystem restoration projects identified across 12 NRCS practice types for the Little Salt Creek Watershed.
- Upper Big Blue NRDcoreTFG contracted with Upper Big Blue NRD in January 2024 to conduct a water quality improvement study for Recharge Lake near York, Nebraska, providing nutrient loading assessment and fisheries evaluation.
- City of LincolncoreTFG has multiple engagements with City of Lincoln including Parks and Recreation Department for saline wetlands planning and Watershed Management Department for drainage improvement projects. Collaborated on Upper Wagon Train Watershed Master Plan with Lower Platte South NRD.
- Nemaha NRDcoreTFG completed engineering feasibility study and comprehensive lake restoration design for Iron Horse Trail Lake operated by Nemaha NRD. Total construction cost was $2.1 million with multiple funding sources including NDEQ, NGPC, and NRD.
- U.S. Bureau of ReclamationcoreGracie Creek Pond is contained wholly within U.S. Bureau of Reclamation property within the Calamus Reservoir WMA. TFG conducted field investigation, survey, engineering design, and construction management with agency coordination including USBOR, NGPC, USFWS, FEMA, and USACE.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)minorAgency coordination for environmental compliance review including Threatened and Endangered Species consultation for projects like Gracie Creek Pond maintenance.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)minorConestoga Reservoir is a USACE facility; agency coordination for Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting and environmental compliance across multiple projects.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)minorTFG has completed FEMA letter of map revisions and amendments for fill in effective 100-year floodplain; agency coordination for floodplain compliance on watershed projects.
- Nebraska Attorney General's OfficecoreTFG has worked closely with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office for over two decades coordinating technical support for interstate water compact litigation.
- COHYST (Consortium of Universities)coreTFG was contracted by COHYST to adapt consumptive use calculations for the Republican River basin and update crop water use information for regional groundwater modeling using the CropSIM soil water balance model.
- 23 Natural Resources Districts of NebraskacoreTFG has partnered with all 23 of Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts to provide technical support on projects related to interstate water compacts, decrees, and agreements.
- Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE)minorProject partner on Iron Horse Trail Lake Rehabilitation providing funding through NDEQ for aquatic habitat and recreation area improvements.
- University of Nebraska-LincolnminorTFG worked with UNL's Center for Grassland Studies on Nine-Mile Prairie Environs Master Plan and used Dr. Derrel Martin's CropSIM model developed at UNL for COHYST groundwater modeling.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Flatwater Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech is a global environmental and water resources consulting leader serving federal, state, and municipal clients on watershed management, hydrologic modeling, and ecosystem restoration. Comparable to TFG's service portfolio but at vastly larger scale; a potential competitor on large NRCS, USBR, and FEMA programs in Nebraska.
- Brown and Caldwell: Brown and Caldwell is an environmental engineering and consulting firm specializing in water and wastewater utilities, watershed management, and stormwater compliance for public agencies. Comparable to TFG on water resources and watershed evaluation work, though primarily utility-focused and not active in Nebraska-specific compact work.
- Black & Veatch: Black & Veatch is a global engineering, procurement, and construction firm with a major water business focused on water supply, treatment, and infrastructure for utilities and government. Comparable to TFG on water resources planning and supply work, though predominantly focused on larger municipal and utility-scale projects.
- Stantec: Stantec is a major global engineering and environmental consulting firm with a strong water practice serving municipalities and government on water supply, watershed planning, and restoration. Comparable to TFG in service mix but materially larger and broader in geography, posing competitive pressure on larger RFPs.
- HDR: HDR is a large employee-owned engineering firm with significant water resources, environmental, and infrastructure practices serving federal, state, and local government clients. Comparable to TFG on water/watershed and dam/levee work, with substantially greater capacity to pursue large Nebraska contracts.
Direct peers
- RESPEC: RESPEC is an engineering and technology consulting firm with a water resources and environmental practice serving government clients on hydrologic modeling, watershed planning, and resource management projects. Comparable in service mix to TFG's watershed evaluations and water policy support work, though broader in mining and energy exposure.
- WEST Consultants: WEST Consultants is a water resources engineering firm specializing in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, sediment transport, and river restoration for public agencies. Directly comparable to TFG's HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWAT, and stable channel design capabilities, though smaller and more hydraulics-focused.
- JEO Consulting Group: JEO Consulting Group is a Nebraska-headquartered (Lincoln, NE) multi-discipline engineering and planning firm providing water resources, environmental, surveying, and municipal engineering services to NRDs, municipalities, and state agencies. Directly comparable to TFG given the shared Nebraska base, similar service lines in water resources and environmental engineering, and overlapping public-sector client base.
- INTERA Incorporated: INTERA is a mid-size geosciences and water resources consulting firm specializing in hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, and water supply engineering for public agencies. Directly comparable to TFG's water policy implementation and groundwater modeling work (e.g., COHYST CropSIM), though more groundwater-focused and not Nebraska-anchored.
- Olsson: Olsson is a Lincoln, Nebraska-based engineering firm with a strong water resources, environmental, and municipal infrastructure practice serving NRDs, municipalities, and state agencies across the Midwest. Comparable to TFG in geography, client base, and the integrated water/environmental engineering service mix, though broader in overall scope (also transportation, power, telecom).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Flatwater Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Flatwater Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Flatwater Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
The Flatwater Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Flatwater Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Flatwater Group
What does The Flatwater Group do?
The Flatwater Group is an environmental consulting firm that provides water resources engineering, restoration design, planning, and environmental engineering services. Offerings span lake, stream, and wetland rehabilitation; drone-based and sonar-based field investigations; technical support for Nebraska interstate water compacts and policy implementation; and hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic watershed analyses. Services are delivered to government agencies, Natural Resources Districts, municipalities, and selected private clients across Nebraska.
Is The Flatwater Group a public or private company?
The Flatwater Group is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was The Flatwater Group founded?
The Flatwater Group was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Flatwater Group based?
The Flatwater Group is headquartered in Lincoln, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Flatwater Group make money?
One revenue line is on record: environmental Consulting Services.
Who are The Flatwater Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tetra Tech, Brown and Caldwell, Black & Veatch, Stantec and HDR. Direct peers are RESPEC, WEST Consultants, JEO Consulting Group, INTERA Incorporated and Olsson.
Does The Flatwater Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Flatwater Group.
What industry is The Flatwater Group in?
The Flatwater Group's product category is Environmental Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAD, Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAHAJAJ, Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Compliance. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 4941.