Our story: crisis response to industry leadership
The catalyst
The origins of Geomorphic Solutions trace back to a pivotal moment in 2011 on the banks of the Yellowstone River. Following a pipeline break caused by prolonged flooding, Dr. Jeff Barry—a Water Resource Engineer with a specialized PhD in sediment transport—was on-site assisting with the cleanup.
While observing the damage, Dr. Barry realized that standard hydrology data wasn’t enough to prevent future failures. He recognized that by applying the science of sediment transport, he could predict exactly how deep the river would scour during a flood. He offered to model the river’s behavior to ensure the replacement pipeline would be buried safely.
Closing the gap
That 2011 project revealed a critical gap in the industry: operators needed more than just water flow data to ensure pipeline safety. They needed to understand the dynamic, physical forces—specifically the hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes—that were actively shaping the riverbed itself.
In 2015, Dr. Barry formally established Geomorphic Solutions to fill this void. His mission was to move the industry from reactive repairs to proactive prediction, helping clients identify the “needle in the haystack”—the specific water crossing at significant risk of failure—and helping them manage that risk before an incident occurred.
Global impacts
Our team has completed assessments for thousands of sites along tens of thousands of miles of pipeline, utilizing both desktop analysis and field evaluations. From identifying vulnerable crossings to implementing targeted monitoring and mitigation plans, Geomorphic Solutions provides the critical data operators need to ensure infrastructure integrity worldwide.
Today, Geomorphic Solutions serves as a trusted partner to the oil and gas industry on a global scale. As an ISNetworld member company, we work closely with clients across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia to develop and refine integrity management programs.
From the Desktop to the Riverbed—and Back Again
Desktop Screening
Every project begins with a wide-lens view. Using USGS real-time streamflow gauges, historical aerial imagery, and topographic data, we analyze the entire watershed to filter out the noise. By assessing channel migration zones and flood history remotely, we identify the specific crossings that require a closer look, ensuring resources are focused where risk is highest.
See it in action
The image to the right illustrates a “risky site” identified through desktop screening, where aerial imagery reveals active bank scarping and slumping (red circle). Large woody debris immediately north of the crossing poses an additional threat by triggering localized turbulence and increased scour. Furthermore, historical analysis confirms a lateral shift of approximately 40 feet over 16 years; if this migration rate continues, it could result in the exposure of shallow pipelines within the corridor.
Field forensics
Data on a screen can only tell part of the story. For high-priority sites, we deploy to the field to conduct detailed geomorphic assessments. We look for what satellites miss: bank instability, sediment transport indicators, and “mini-landslides” that threaten pipeline cover. This “ground truthing” validates the desktop models and quantifies the actual threat level.
See it in action
We employ real-time corrected GPS systems to map the crossing with centimeter-level accuracy, explicitly measuring depth of cover and delineating key features like bank tops and water edges. To capture the broader context, we deploy drones for high-resolution aerial imagery and contour generation. For complex submerged environments, we utilize single and multi-beam echosounders to map the channel bottom, ensuring a complete 3D profile of the river and pipeline interaction.
Reporting & Planning
We bring that field data back to the office to build a defense. Whether it is calculating an allowable span length for an exposed pipe or developing a High Water Action Plan for flood response, we turn physical observations into engineering strategies. The result is a refined Integrity Management Program that prioritizes safety and budget effectively.
See it in action
Our reporting strategies are tested and proven across diverse environments. From managing cattle-grazed corridors to stabilizing high-velocity river crossings, we turn data into successful defenses. Explore our portfolio to see how our Integrity Management Programs have mitigated risk and ensured compliance for major energy clients >
Check out our Project Library >
What does “fluvial geomorphology” mean?
Scour
Vertical Movement
Scour is the downward erosion of the riverbed that reduces a pipeline’s depth of cover. We evaluate sediment transport processes to predict if—and how deep—a river will scour during flood events, ensuring your buried assets remain protected.
Migration
Lateral Movement
Rivers naturally migrate side-to-side across high-consequence floodplains. We identify risk zones for channel migration and potential “avulsions”—where a channel suddenly changes course—to prevent pipelines from being exposed by shifting river paths.
Bank stability
Sudden Bank Failures
Erosion isn’t just gradual; it can happen suddenly through bank failure or “mini-landslides”. We assess soil conditions and flow forces to identify areas prone to collapse, protecting pipelines from being undermined by unstable banks.
Shaping Industry Standards
We are regular contributors to the International Pipeline Conference (IPC) and the American Petroleum Institute (API), presenting peer-reviewed research on scour prediction and hydrotechnical hazards.
As an ISNetworld Member Company, we maintain rigorous safety, insurance, and quality standards, ensuring we are pre-qualified to work with major operators across North America and beyond.
From CEPA (Canadian Energy Pipeline Association) forums to industry workshops, we are dedicated to advancing the collective understanding of river mechanics and pipeline integrity.
