Group picked for stream study of Clinch (copy)
Trutta Environmental Solutions has been selected to conduct a stream study of the Clinch River.
Friends of Southwest Virginia has selected Trutta Environmental Solutions to conduct a High Definition Stream Study (HDSS) of the Clinch River, an important step in assessing the river's condition following Hurricane Helene and supporting long-term recovery efforts across Southwest Virginia.
The study will examine approximately 135 miles of the Clinch River through Tazewell, Russell, Wise, and Scott counties. Using Trutta's advanced, technology-integrated survey methods, the project will provide a comprehensive assessment of stream conditions, debris impacts, infrastructure, and outdoor recreation assets affected by the storm.
"This will provide the detailed data we need to make informed decisions about restoring one of Southwest Virginia's most valuable natural resources," said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. "The Clinch River is not only globally significant for its biodiversity, but it is also an important driver of outdoor recreation and local economies. Trutta Environmental Solutions brings the expertise and technology needed to help us understand storm impacts and identify opportunities to strengthen the river's future."
The High Definition Stream Study will document stream morphology, bank stability, debris conditions, floodplain connectivity, recreation infrastructure, and adjacent bridges, culverts, and other public assets. The resulting GIS-based datasets and technical reports will identify priority areas for restoration, improve public safety planning, and support future funding applications for mitigation and recovery projects.
Trutta Environmental Solutions was selected through a competitive procurement process based on its technical qualifications, experience conducting high-definition stream surveys, and expertise in watershed assessment, and disaster recovery planning. The project is expected to begin this summer, with final deliverables anticipated by November 2026.
"We're excited to partner with Friends of Southwest Virginia on the Clinch River High Definition Stream Survey," said Brett Connell, Hydrologist and Director of Sales at Trutta Environmental Solutions, LLC. "By collecting a continuous, georeferenced record of the river corridor, we're creating a baseline dataset that can support outdoor recreation, watershed management, conservation, and future restoration efforts. One of the greatest strengths of this project is that the same dataset can serve many different organizations, reducing duplicate data collection while providing information that will be valuable for years to come."
The study is funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission as part of Friends of Southwest Virginia's Post-Hurricane Outdoor Recreation Asset Assessment and Recovery Planning initiative. The project will provide local, regional, and state partners with actionable data to guide restoration efforts, improve recreation access, reduce future flood risks, and strengthen the resilience of communities along the Clinch River.
For more information about Friends of Southwest Virginia and its regional initiatives, visit https://friendsofswva.org/
