Liz DiNatale, PE

My academic journey at North Carolina State University focused on environmental engineering and introduced me to stream restoration. I immediately embraced this application of my studies, driven by a desire to fix all the streams. What keeps me invested is the continuous learning and the evolution of our collective expertise. The diversity of projects, whether they involve major stream realignments or smaller-scale pipeline-crossing stabilization, keeps my work fascinating. The absence of fixed stream restoration guidelines makes it a particularly dynamic and rewarding field.

As a seasoned stream restoration expert, I can offer our clients a deep understanding of ecological principles, hydrological processes, and engineering solutions. Over the years, I have successfully led numerous restoration projects, applying innovative techniques to enhance water quality, stabilize stream banks, improve flood control, and restore natural habitats. My expertise ensures that projects meet regulatory requirements and promote long-term environmental sustainability. By integrating scientific knowledge with practical experience, I can provide clients with forward-thinking, cost-effective, and resilient solutions tailored to their unique environmental challenges, ultimately contributing to healthier ecosystems and improved community resilience.

Stream restoration has progressed significantly in recent decades, transitioning from heavily engineered solutions to more nuanced, ecologically sensitive approaches. Its fundamental principles have always been based on hydrology and hydraulics equations, but the practice of design is more open to interpretation and influenced by the natural environment.

This evolution is driven by advancements in hydraulic modeling, including HEC-RAS 2D, which enables detailed analysis of stream conditions and targeted interventions. The field’s reliance on quantitative modeling and empirical observation has led to a deeper understanding of stream dynamics, influencing the design and implementation of restoration projects. We can pinpoint areas of weakness and do pocket restorations instead of extensive digging. Knowledge is power, and having a complete understanding of the situation is invaluable.

One of the most memorable projects I have worked on was a stream restoration in Spartanburg, South Carolina, during a brief tenure with a construction company. Although it was not groundbreaking in its technical aspects, this project—a standard restoration design that involved daylighting a stream previously confined to a pipe installed in the 1950s—was profoundly fulfilling. It represented a tangible realization of my reasons for becoming an engineer and made my heart happy.

GFT has a robust reputation in the stream world for its integrity and strong stream resume. I came to GFT after hearing about the company’s investment in its employees’ learning and development. I wanted to be somewhere that encouraged me to learn and excel in the field of work that I love.

The best piece of advice I have received came from my father: “Never brake into a turn. Brake before a turn, then accelerate out of it.” This principle, while simple, has profound implications for both driving and life strategies.

I’ve been baking since I was a little girl. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, I missed baking for my family and figured my friends also missed baked goods, so I made enough cookies and fudge for seven treat boxes. Since then, I have expanded to about 25 boxes. Now it’s a tradition, and I can’t stop!