River Recreation

River Recreation Services

Visioning and Planning
Design Services
Multi-Use and Purpose Engineering
Analysis
Construction Services
Operations & Maintenance

In 2025, we launched Muller River Recreation Studio, led by Rick McLaughlin and backed by a full-service team of engineers and designers. The studio builds on Rick’s award-winning portfolio and Muller’s trusted reputation for innovative engineering in infrastructure, restoration, and environmental design.

Muller River Recreation Studio designs for far more than flow and function. Its work blends fluid dynamics, ecological restoration, community access, and economic vitality — from Olympic venues and surf features to ADA-accessible riverfront corridors. Every project is a blueprint for safety, sustainability, and revitalization.

With rivers as catalysts, Muller River Recreation Studio helps communities reconnect to the water — not just for recreation but for a more promising and inspired future.

Areas of Expertise

Urban Waterways

Nature-like & semi-dynamic transverse river stabilization
Low-hazard nature-like fish passage
Multipurpose riverine infrastructure diversions, dams, drops, & utilities with recreation/safety
Waterway safety & criteria manuals
Whitewater rapids & riffles
Blueways & water trails
Parks & upland planning
Water trails & access
ADA waterway corridor accessibility
Flood analysis & hydrology

River Parks & Surf Waves

World-class whitewater design – river surfing, freestyle, & slalom kayaking
River community outreach
Wave shaping – adjustable deep-water waves
Water access – put-ins & take-outs
Access & integrated adventure sports
Swiftwater rescue training
Multipurpose infrastructure – diversions, dams, drops, utilities with recreation/safety
Multi-dimensional and mobile bed hydraulic modeling, physical models, specialized wave models

Diversion, Intakes, & Hydropower

Diversions – intakes, pumping, & dams/controls
Integrating recreation – waves, whitewater, & by-pass channels
Dam safety & hazard mitigation
On-river self-cleaning fine & fish screens
Flashboards, gates, & sluiceways
Recreation & flow studies
Open channel, closed conduit, & pump stations
Controls systems & operations plans
Structural analysis & design
Site civil work, portage trails, & signage
Low-hazard fish passage & fish exclusion
Flood analysis & hydraulic modeling – physical models, 2D, 1D

Recirculating Waves & Whitewater Courses

Swift water rescue
Deep water waves & low-head dam simulation
Course & site layout & alternatives
Operations planning & pro forma (in collaboration with partners)
Fully integrated systems design – pumping, recirculation, structural, & wave shaping
Full whitewater site civil, structural, and systems engineering – slalom, freestyle kayaking, & river surfing
Park spaces & whitewater site access

Meet the ExpertRick McLaughlin, PE

Rick McLaughlin is a nationally recognized leader in river engineering and recreation design, known for pioneering innovative, sustainable, and award-winning projects across the United States and internationally. With over four decades of experience, he has led the design of iconic venues such as the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Course on the Ocoee River—the only Olympic course built in a free-flowing river—and the Chattahoochee River Park in Georgia, the largest and most economically impactful river park in North America, and the Boise Phase 1 River Park, the first river surf venue of international caliber in the US and arguably the best and most reliable river surf waves in the country. His portfolio also includes transformative projects like Confluence Park in Denver, the Adventure Sports Course in Western Maryland, the only course that has hosted both World Cup/World Championship Events in both Slalom and Freestyle, and the Zink Dam Wave Park in Tulsa. Rick holds the unique distinction of having had no projects over the last forty years that required rebuilding or encountered safety issues

Rick 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 encompasses urban river restoration, nature-like fish passages, low-hazard dam design, and advanced hydraulic modeling. He has authored the only two sections in U.S. design criteria manuals for in-river recreation and low-hazard facilities.

As Principal Engineer at Muller Engineering Company, Rick leads the firm’s national whitewater and urban river restoration practice, bringing unmatched technical depth and a commitment to safety, durability, and community engagement. His work continues to set the standard for integrating recreation, infrastructure, and ecological health in river systems.

Zink River Park - Tulsa, OK

This new course has three WaveShapers that provide unsurpassed river surfing over the 200 to 700 cfs range and attract hundreds of novice users daily. This project established a new benchmark for urban river parks, combining advanced recreational features with accessible fun for beginners.

Boise River Park - Boise, ID

This was the first international-caliber wave surfing venue in the US. Two WaveShapers create great waves for surfing and kayaking from 150 to 4,000 cfs. It has been operated continuously since opening in 2009 without safety or structural maintenance issues.

1996 Olympic Whitewater Venue - Ducktown, TN

This highly regarded and remarkable venue is the only Olympic venue constructed in an active riverbed. As a world-class sporting venue integrated into the natural environment, it has survived decades of flood flows that move 3-foot boulders without requiring maintenance.

Confluence Park - Denver, CO

This was the first river park in the country, designed by Rick McLaughlin in 1984. As the heart of Denver’s river park system, it is enjoyed by children and novice users without any serious safety incidents or maintenance. It integrated a critical water diversion and lowered regulatory flood elevations.

Events at the Adventure Sports Center, MD

Adventure Sports Center - Garrett County, MD

This versatile recirculating course has hosted the highest level of freestyle and slalom kayaking, yet is favored by novices and intermediates. Its unique, efficient design features create great whitewater with less energy.

Chattahoochee River Restoration - Columbus, GA

The “world’s best manmade whitewater” (USA Today) is a favorite for hosting World Championship Freestyle events. It is credited with 100,000 paying customers yearly, 42 new businesses, two university extensions, and 1.9 million visitors who spent $300 million in 2024.

American River - Auburn, CA

This river park has an innovative patented water intake within the rapids that has operated for almost 20 years. The project included a unique patented intake, a self-cleaning online fish screen, and restoration of the former Auburn Dam site. It was the Civil Engineering project of the year.

Hartland Dam Fish & Boat Passage - Delta, CO

Winner of a National ACEC Award. The performance of this low-hazard, nature-like fish passage for threatened slow-swimming native species has been documented by TU. The project improves recreation, opens 15 miles of river for recreation, and maintains a crucial irrigation water supply.

Rick's Previous WorkFrom Olympic Courses to Urban Parks

Rick was the Engineer of Record and lead engineer for each of these projects.

Zink River Park, Tulsa, OK
Boise River Park, Boise, ID
1996 Olympic Whitewater Venue, Ducktown, TN
Confluence Park, Denver, CO
Adventure Sports Center, Garrett County, MD
Chattahoochee River Restoration, Columbus, GA
American River, Auburn, CA
Hartland Dam Fish & Boat Passage, Delta, CO

Learn More About Our New River Recreation Service - Led by Industry Expert Rick McLaughlin!

River Recreation