Muller Engineering Company is pleased to announce the addition of Rick McLaughlin as Principal Engineer, significantly enhancing the firm’s expertise in whitewater recreation and urban river restoration projects.
McLaughlin is a pioneer in the field of river recreation and a nationally recognized expert in river design with an impressive portfolio of innovative, sustainable, and award-winning projects. His appointment strategically expands Muller’s service offerings to include whitewater and river recreation, urban river restoration, semi-dynamic transverse river stabilization techniques, low hazard dam design, intake and diversion structures, nature-like fish passage, and large-scale physical and computer hydraulic modeling of river structures.
“Rick’s expertise in water resource engineering and river design enhances the depth of our team and strengthens the services we provide to our clients,” said Gray Clark, Muller President. “His innovative approach to complex water challenges builds on our existing capabilities, allowing us to offer even more comprehensive solutions. We are excited about the opportunities this creates to better serve our clients and communities.”
McLaughlin has developed numerous innovative river-related infrastructure designs and construction techniques — several of which have been patented. He has authored the only two sections in design criteria manuals in the United States for in-river design of recreation and low-hazard facilities, further establishing himself as a pioneer in the field.
“I’m thrilled to join a firm with such a strong culture and a deep commitment to quality—values that align perfectly with my own. Designing river and water resource projects is not just exciting and rewarding; it’s also a responsibility. At Muller, I know I’m part of a team that prioritizes both innovation and precision, ensuring that we create engaging ways for communities to connect with water. At the same time, we assure project sponsors that their community’s treasured resources will be designed to our unmatched level of safety and durability and perform as intended from day one – offering reliable and cost-effective amenities,” said McLaughlin.
His portfolio includes transformational Colorado projects such as Confluence Park and River Run on the South Platte River. Nationally, he designed the 1996 Olympic course on the Ocoee River – the only Olympic course built in a free-flowing river, and the Chattahoochee River Park in Georgia, the largest urban whitewater river park in North America, which was named one of the “Top 12 Man-Made Adventures in the World” by USA Today. His recent work in Tulsa has earned international recognition, including features in the London Times.
McLaughlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering from Stanford University. His expertise extends to major drainageway master planning and the design of major stormwater infrastructure.
For more information about Muller Engineering Company’s expanded services in river design and recreation, please visit www.mullereng.com/services.
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About Muller Engineering Company
Muller Engineering Company is an employee-owned civil engineering consulting firm located in Lakewood, Colorado. Providing engineering design, program management, environmental planning, and construction management services for a wide array of projects, Muller brings passion for engineering excellence and innovative project concepts to our clients with sensible, creative, and cost-effective solutions that address the needs of our communities.
