Climate resiliency

The Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area has experienced increasingly frequent flooding over the past century, prompting a major infrastructure effort to protect communities on both sides of the Red River. The USD 3 billion Fargo‑Moorhead Diversion Project provide long‑term, climate‑resilient flood protection for more than 235,000 residents.

The project includes a 30‑mile diversion channel, road and rail crossings, and multiple hydraulic structures. COWI, in joint venture with Hatch, is delivering the final design, including complex interstate and rail crossings, 14 inlet structures and two major river aqueducts.

The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Floodwall and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) Closure Structure are critical components of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Greater New Orleans hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system, designed to protect lives and property from storm surges following Hurricane Katrina.

COWI was the principal designer, responsible for structural, geotechnical, foundation, and coastal engineering. The project includes a 7,626 foot (2,325 m) floodwall rising 26 ft (7.9 m) above the MRGO and Lake Borgne, and a major canal closure structure, designed to withstand weak ground conditions using advanced, practical engineering solutions.

By 2050, Port Arthur, Texas faces significant long-term flooding risks, with low-lying areas vulnerable to storm surges, disproportionately threatening low-income and minority communities. Port Arthur is among the most at risk US cities.

COWI is supporting U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's (USACE) in reducing coastal storm surge and flood risk for residents and businesses in Jefferson County, Texas, through the Port Arthur Hurricane Flood Protection Project. The work includes raising 13.25 miles of levees, reconstructing 5 miles of floodwall, replacing 21 road/railroad closure structures and improving erosion protection, delivering resilient defenses designed to withstand future storms and long term sea level rise conditions for generations. 

COWI, in joint venture, is delivering detailed design for the Port Arthur and Vicinity (PAV03A) segment of the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Program, including 5.5 miles of levee raises, new floodwalls, pump station protections, gravity drainage structures and a highway closure gate. The work enhances storm surge resiliency for a 65 square mile area along the upper Texas coast.

COWI is a trusted partner in planning, designing and delivering transportation infrastructure that strengthens connectivity and supports sustainable growth across North America. Drawing on decades of global expertise and strong local presence, we support public and private customers throughout the project lifecycle.

Across North America, COWI delivers water infrastructure solutions, designing dams, hydraulic structures, and water and wastewater tunnels through close customer collaboration, applying global expertise to ensure reliable service, long‑term resiliency and solutions to water challenges.

COWI offers engineering consultancy to federal agencies across North America. In Canada, we work with Parks Canada to inspect and maintain bridge assets. In the United States, we partner with the U.S. Navy, delivering resilient marine infrastructure.

COWI helps customers across North America strengthen climate resiliency through coastal protection and flood control, assessing risk, adapting infrastructure, and protecting communities, assets and ecosystems with robust strategies for extreme weather and rising sea levels.

COWI supports North America’s energy transition through engineering services for offshore wind, green fuels, microgrids and waste‑to‑energy. We combine global expertise and local insight to help customers reduce emissions and strengthen energy security.