Civil works

Lock and dam structure filled with water and surrounded by walls, grass and more water — Illinois Department of Natural Resources Stratton Lock and Dam lock capacity and water level control improvements, McHenry County, Illinois

Hanson has a strong history of helping public agencies plan, design, rehabilitate and sustain infrastructure that manages water, reduces risk, supports navigation and restores natural systems.

Water pouring over dam with tree branches being pushed over the edge; building in background surrounded by trees; water in center and foreground; choppy water at lower center and in foreground, with smooth water at right and in upper center — Illinois Department of Natural Resources Sears and Steel Dam studies on the Rock River, Rock Island County, Illinois

Our differentiator is our ability to integrate extensive hydrologic, hydraulic, geotechnical, structural, civil, mechanical and electrical experience with a thorough understanding of how infrastructure performs throughout its life cycle. Hanson’s civil works professionals combine these disciplines to develop resilient solutions for:

dams
levees and floodwalls
locks
pump stations
water-control structures
ecosystem restoration

Our clients include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), state environmental agencies and water-management agencies, municipalities and other public infrastructure owners.

Hanson professionals have contributed to civil works programs across multiple USACE districts by delivering planning, studies, design development, design quality control and independent technical reviews. We also provide engineering during construction services, including in-house Title II Construction Inspection. We understand the standards, processes and coordination required to advance complex civil works projects from early planning through operation, and we are highly versed in USACE requirements, such as:

ER 1165-2-217 Civil Works Quality and Review Policy
ER 1110-2-1150 Engineering and Design for Civil Works Projects
DrChecks/ProjNet
UFGS Specifications with SpecsIntact

Ground view of a breakwall along a body of water, construction equipment in the distance — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District Algoma breakwater repairs, Chicago

Civil works infrastructure is expected to function for generations under demanding conditions. Hanson supports each stage of the asset life cycle with:

Planning and risk identification: data review, field investigations, feasibility studies, risk assessments and alternatives development
Design and analysis: hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, geotechnical investigations, structural analysis, environmental evaluation and multidisciplinary design
Permitting and stakeholder coordination: regulatory strategy, agency consultation, environmental documentation, public engagement and support for funding applications
Final design and procurement: plans, specifications, design analysis/documentation reports, Engineering Considerations and Instructions for Field Personnel, construction cost estimates and schedules, and bid-phase support services
Construction and commissioning: engineering during construction, structural observations, special inspections, quality assurance, field observation, commissioning and operations-and-maintenance documentation

Flood risk management: We help communities understand and reduce flood risk through hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, levees, floodwalls, closure structures, pump stations, interior drainage systems and resilient site design. Our work includes feasibility studies, alternatives analysis, floodplain mapping, design documentation, permitting, final design and construction support.
Dams and levees: Hanson provides condition assessments, dam-safety evaluations, rehabilitation design, decommissioning design and construction support for embankment dams, concrete dams, spillways, gates, levees and related infrastructure. Our teams evaluate seepage, slope stability, settlement, seismic performance, erosion, overtopping, structural condition and operational reliability to help owners manage risk and extend asset life. Find out more.
Locks and navigation infrastructure: We plan and design improvements to locks, gated dams, breakwaters, navigation channels, waterfront structures, bridges and related facilities. Our experience includes lock extensions, spillway and gate replacements, scour protection, structural rehabilitation, automated controls and dredging.
Water control structures and flood damage reduction: Our multidisciplinary teams design pump stations, outlet works, culverts, control gates, canals and other hydraulic structures that manage flows and water levels. We integrate hydraulic performance with geotechnical, structural, mechanical, electrical and operational requirements. Find out more.
Ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions: We help clients reconnect floodplains, restore wetlands, improve aquatic habitat and identify beneficial uses for dredged material while considering environmental and infrastructure objectives. Our services include watershed planning, hydrodynamic and sediment modeling, water-control structures, wetland restoration, living shorelines, permitting and construction support.
Hydrology and hydraulics modeling: Hanson uses 1D (linear stream/pipe flow), 2D (overland flood mapping) and 3D (computational fluid dynamics) modeling to evaluate stormwater pipe systems, watersheds, rivers, reservoirs, floodplains, dam breaches, pump stations and sediment transport. Our analyses inform alternatives, quantify risk and support defensible engineering decisions. We have experience with various software packages, including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, Flow3D, EPA SWMM, ICPR/StormWise and HydroCAD.
Infrastructure assessments and emergency response: When infrastructure is damaged or at risk, Hanson can mobilize multidisciplinary professionals to perform condition inspections, damage assessments, geotechnical investigations, hydraulic evaluations and structural reviews. Our in-house topographic and hydrographic survey capability includes drone lidar. We have experience with emergency action plans, inundation mapping, temporary repair concepts and recovery solutions that support rapid, informed decision-making. Hanson is a contract holder on the USACE Savannah District Responsive Emergency Action for Disaster and Infrastructure A-E MATOC awarded in FY26.
Construction engineering and project delivery: Our involvement does not end with design. Hanson also provides constructability reviews, cost estimating, value engineering, bid-phase assistance, construction administration, quality assurance oversight/resident observation, submittal and request-for-information reviews, change management, commissioning and project closeout.