Carolyn Gombert
PE
Project River Engineer
River engineering is a beautiful blend of creative problem solving, clear communication, and technical precision. Each river presents its own challenges as well as its own unique story. It takes a diverse team to understand both.
Hired
- 2024
Location
- Remote
Carolyn is a project river engineer with a passion for understanding and managing river systems. She uses advanced computer modeling tools to design features such as side channels, large wood structures, and culverts that enhance habitat and mitigate flooding. Carolyn’s models allow for testing and refinement of different solutions, which she then brings to project stakeholders for feedback and further development. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding of hydraulics and hydrology, and the importance of collaboration across disciplines.
The constantly changing nature of rivers sparked Carolyn’s interest in river engineering. She enjoys examining historical aerial photographs of rivers like the Willamette, tracking the evolution of their channels and banks over time. Carolyn values the collaboration required to understand and manage these dynamic systems, recognizing the need for a team of diverse minds to tackle river-related challenges.
Before joining GeoEngineers, Carolyn gained experience in both the public and private sectors. She worked on habitat enhancement for rivers in California’s Central Valley, flood risk management with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and sediment management along the Rio Grande at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Carolyn was drawn to GeoEngineers because of its people-first culture and the opportunity to grow in the areas of mentoring and design. She values the chance to continue developing her skills while helping others advance in their careers, drawing on her extensive experience in the water resources community.
“I love the complexity of river engineering projects,” Carolyn says. “No two projects, even along the same river, are alike. Whether it’s the science, the culture, or the tools and approach needed, there’s always something new to learn and explore.”
Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her family, whether it’s on the playground, at library story time, or out on trails with a jogging stroller. She also has a passion for visual art, creating everything from watercolor illustrations to sidewalk chalk sketches.
Articles
- Gombert, C. E., S.T Lancaster, G. E. Grant, and R. L. Flitcroft. 2023. “Novel dimensionless index for physically based assessment of thermal refugia characterizes off-channel habitat on gravel bed river.” Journal of the American Water Resources Association 59(4): 615–634.
- Flitcroft, R., L. Whitman, J. White, R. Wallick, L. Stratton Garvin, C. Smith, R. Plotnikoff, M. Mulvey, T. Kock, K. Jones, P. Gruendike, C. Gombert, G. Giannico, A. Dutterer, D. Brown, H. Barrett, B. Bangs, R.M. Hughes. 2023. Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA. Water Biology and Security. 2(4): 100203.
