Friday March 20, 2026
My Humbolt Life —
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) has awarded McMillen, Inc., headquartered in Boise, Idaho, a Grand Award for exemplary engineering achievement in ACEC’s annual Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA). The award comes for the Klamath River Renewal project in Klamath Falls, Ore, and Hornbrook, Calif. As one of only eight Grand Award-winners, the project also is a contender for the EEA’s top honor, the 2026 Grand Conceptor Award. That winner will be announced during the EEA Gala at the Grand Hyatt Washington on May 5, 2026.
The world’s largest dam removal and river restoration effort has reopened more than 400 miles of habitat, reconnected tributaries, and returned various western river corridors and floodplains to their historic alignment. Led by the vision and leadership of the Hoopa, Karuk, Yurok, Shasta, Klamath, and Modoc Tribes—and strengthened by the contributions of more than 40 partner organizations—this unprecedented collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when cultural stewardship, ecological science, and engineering excellence align to heal a river system once thought beyond repair.