Marty Melchior

Fisheries biologist

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Madison, Wisconsin, United States

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Timeline
About me
Technical Principal at Inter-Fluve
Education
- Utah State University
  -
  Certificate (Short Course) Fluvial Gemorphology and Sediment Transport
  Fluvial geomorphology, sediment transport with Peter Wilcock, Jack Schmidt and Tyler Allred
- Wildland Hydrology
  -
  Certificate Level I, II, III and IV
  Rosgen's natural channel design short courses. Thanks to Dave for the great music and good talks about rivers and streams.
- University of Minnesota
  1996 - 1998
  MS Fisheries
  Activities and Societies: Studied the impact of urban development on the geomorphology and ecology of a headwater trout stream in karst topography.
- North Dakota State University
  1984 - 1989
  Biology Biotechnology, molecular biology
  Activities and Societies: Phi Sigma National Honor Society, IM Hockey, curling
Experience
- Minnesota DNR
  May 1996 - May 1999
  Fisheries biologist
  Conducted Rosgen Level 1-4 assessments for the Twin Cities Metro Trout Stream Restoration Initiative. Completed channel design and fish habitat design and construction oversight for various trout habitat projects around the metropolitan area. Met with local landowners to discuss buffer establishment and restoration projects within the Vermillion River watershed.
- Northern Ecological Services
  May 1999 - Apr 2000
  Restoration Ecologist
  Managed stream restoration division, completed channel restoration and bank stabilization projects in the Wolf River system and local drainages.
- Inter-Fluve
  Jan 2001 - now
  Technical Principal
  Marty has provided project management and design for over 500 river restoration projects nationwide. Responsibilities include design leadership, project management, technical review of designs, quality assurance review and mentoring of junior staff. Marty has pioneered cranberry bog stream restoration standards of practice, and has contributed to the development of dam removal practice standards over 100 dam removal projects. Projects include geomorphic assessment, dam removal, natural channel design, bioengineering and riverine habitat reclamation. Marty also provides part time instruction in river restoration at the University of Minnesota's River Restoration Curriculum, Harvard University Masters of Landscape Architecture Program, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Water Resources graduate program. Marty teaches Engineering with Large Wood for the US Forest Service. He has served on workgroups for the Federal Subcommittee on Sedimentation for Sediment Management in Dam Removal and Geomorphology. Show less
Licenses & Certifications
- Certified Fisheries Professional
  American Fisheries Society
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Bronze Award (ACEC) and Nicholas Humber Award for Outstanding Collaboration (EBC) - Coonamessett River Restoration American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Massachusetts and the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) Apr 2022 I was part of the Interfluve design team for the Coonamessett River Restoration near Falmouth, MA. The project was led by Nick Nelson and built upon Interfluve's successful cranberry bog restoration strategies at Eel River and Tidmarsh Farms.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Grand Award ACEC and National Recognition Award, ACEC National - Arden Park Restoration American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Minnesota Apr 2022 Interfluve designed channel and floodplain restoration for a segment of Minnehaha Creek through Arden Park Restoration. Marty conducted geomorphic assessment, design and construction oversight for the project involving channel relocation, bank stabilization, landscape restoration and small dam removal.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Engineering Honorable Conceptor Award - Boardman Dam Removals American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Michigan May 2021 The Boardman River Dams Ecosystem Restoration included the removal of three hydropower dams, 35 feet tall each, and restoration of 6 miles of the Boardman River. The project restored fish passage to over 30 miles of the Boardman system, an important recreational boating and fishing destination. Marty served as river restoration design/geomorph throughout the project, and conducted construction oversight for all three projects.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Graham Woodhouse Intergovernmental Effort Award - Pucker St. Dam Removal Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (SWMPC) Apr 2021 Marty was part of the assessment and design team for the Pucker Street Dam Removal on the Dowagiac River in southern Michigan. He conducted geomorphic assessment, sediment management planning, permitting assistance, design and construction oversight for the project.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Grand Award and National Honor Award - Bloede Dam Removal American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Apr 2021 The Bloede Dam Removal & Patapsco Interceptor Relocation involved the removal of the historic Bloede Dam on the Patapsco River near Ellicott City, Maryland. Marty served as project manager and designer for this project and the Simkins Dam removal that restored fish passage into the upper watershed.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Restoration Project Award - Eel River Restoration SER New England Chapter Aug 2018 The Eel River Headwaters Restoration project was the first cranberry bog reclamation project completed in the US. I worked closely with Town of Plymouth staff and Interfluve colleagues to restore this 40 acre sloped fen system with 8,000 feet of stream channel, including wetland, riffle-pool and step pool channel segments. My role was project manager, lead geomorphologist and ecologist, design and construction management and oversight. The project was completed in 2009.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Best of State Engineering Excellence Award - Underwood Creek Reclamation American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Wisconsin Jun 2018 For the Underwood Creek Flood Control & Habitat Restoration, I served as lead geomorphologist and ecologist, and was part of the channel and floodplain restoration design for 4500 feet of Underwood Creek in Wauwatosa, WI. Interfluve designed the restoration in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers and MMSD. I also conducted several months of construction observation for this project that involved concrete channel removal and natural channel restoration.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  First Place, Public Course Renovation of the year - Oak Meadows Restoration Golf Inc. Jun 2017 Oak Meadows Golf Course project
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Silver Award - Tidmarsh Farms Restoration American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Massachusetts Jun 2017 Tidmarsh Farms Restoration on Beaver Dam Brook
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Green Star Environmental Award - Oak Meadows Restoration Golf Digest Magazine May 2017 I was the lead geomorphologist and part of the design team for the restoration of Salt Creek through the renovated Oak Meadows Golf Course (Preserve at Oak Meadows). The project involved channel relocation, floodplain wetland restoration, and dam removal on over a mile of Salt Creek.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Business Achievement Award for Natural Resource Management Environment Business Journals (EBJ’s) Jan 2017 I served as lead designer for this epic cranberry bog stream restoration of Beaver Dam Brook. The Tidmarsh Farms Restoration involved 23,000 feet of stream restoration, removal of a 12 ft high dam, and conversion of over 250 acres of cranberry bog to mineral fen and Atlantic white cedar swamp. This project is the world's largest cranberry bog restoration, and involves long term monitoring and studies by researchers from MIT, U-Mass Amherst, Dartmouth and other universities. This 480 acre… Show more I served as lead designer for this epic cranberry bog stream restoration of Beaver Dam Brook. The Tidmarsh Farms Restoration involved 23,000 feet of stream restoration, removal of a 12 ft high dam, and conversion of over 250 acres of cranberry bog to mineral fen and Atlantic white cedar swamp. This project is the world's largest cranberry bog restoration, and involves long term monitoring and studies by researchers from MIT, U-Mass Amherst, Dartmouth and other universities. This 480 acre property now serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and fish communities. Show less
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  National Project of the Year - Sheboygan AOC Restoration American Public Works Association Jun 2014 Interfluve designed habitat restoration features for this project led by Tom Sear at SEH. The project involved engineered log jams, off channel habitat, riffle reconstruction, boulder placement, natural shoreline restoration and invasive plant removal. After being recognized as 2014 Project of the Year from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 2014, the Sheboygan River Area of Concern (AOC) Projects received the 2014 National Project of the Year at the APWA… Show more Interfluve designed habitat restoration features for this project led by Tom Sear at SEH. The project involved engineered log jams, off channel habitat, riffle reconstruction, boulder placement, natural shoreline restoration and invasive plant removal. After being recognized as 2014 Project of the Year from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) in 2014, the Sheboygan River Area of Concern (AOC) Projects received the 2014 National Project of the Year at the APWA Congress and Expo in Toronto. Thanks to SEH and our partners, and to the City of Sheboygan, County, DNR and EPA. Show less
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  20th Anniv. River Heroes River Alliance of Wisconsin Oct 2013 The River Alliance of Wisconsin chose Interfluve as one of its 10 River Heroes as part of their 20th Anniversary celebration in the Fall of 2013. Marty accepted the award for Interfluve, and our organization is proud to be a partner with such a dedicated group of people. Thanks RAW!
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Engineering Excellence Award American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Minnesota Jun 2012 I was part of the design team for the Baker Park Reserve Shoreline Restoration Project (Medina, Minnesota). We and our teaming partner TKDA received the 2012 Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Minnesota. Inter-Fluve designed the bioengineered bank and large wood shoreline treatment, replacing a sheet pile wall.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Coastal America Foundation Presidential Award Coastal America Foundation Aug 2011 I was fortunate to receive an award from the Asst. Secretary of the Interior for my work on the Eel River Restoration in Plymouth, MA. I was part of a great team, all of whom deserve credit. Thanks to Nick Nelson, Greg Orum, Andy Selle, Mike Brunfelt, Mike McCallister, Bill Norris and everyone at the Fluve for this effort. Big thanks to Town of Plymouth, Mass DER and USFWS for making this happen.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  John Nolen Award for Excellence in Ecological Restoration UW Arboretum Jul 2005 Design of the Mill Creek restoration in Plymouth, WI. Glad to share this award with John Nelson and Brian Graber
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Engineering Excellence Honor Award American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois May 2003 I conducted geomorphic assessment and reporting for the DuPage River & Salt Creek Dam Removal Feasibility Study, looking at the feasibility of removal for a dozen dam structures on the two rivers.
- Awarded to Marty Melchior
  Silver Trout Trout Unlimited Jun 1998 Trout Unlimited gave me this honor for habitat work and for my editing efforts for the Minnesota Trout magazine