A WBE and DBE Engineering Firm Serving Northern New England Since 1994

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Northstar Hydro is no longer accepting new clients. Our team is excited to be joining McFarland Johnson, Inc.
After many decades of work as Northstar Hydro, our work grew to be more complicated. We found we needed a larger team to accomplish the work effectively. After much deliberation, we are excited to announce that we have joined McFarland Johnson. Please find us by using the link below.
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Why Northstar Hydro?

Resiliency

Northstar Hydro believes infrastructure must be in harmony with nature in order to be resilient. Northstar Hydro's team of engineers are cross-trained in geomorphology. From simple to complex projects, being able to understand the fundamental processes driving hydrologic systems leads to better designs and project outcomes. Northstar Hydro's goal is to assist design firms in creating resilient solutions by encouraging clients to consider the water and how it flows.

Experts in Hydrology and Hydraulics

Service Areas

Hydraulic Modeling for Infrastructure Engineering
Hydraulic Modeling for Infrastructure Engineering
Northstar understand the complexities of hydraulic flow and provides concrete recommendations for structures impacted by water.
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Engineering and Scientific Hydrology
Engineering and Scientific Hydrology
Understanding the flow of water through a hydrologic system is the foundation of any subsequent engineering effort.
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Tidal Bridge
Dynamics of Tidal and Riverine Flow
Northstar has a wide range capabilities from the standard hydrology and hydraulic analysis to understanding complex dynamics of flow.
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Scour Analysis
Scour Analysis
Northstar’s engineers are experienced in evaluation of potential and ongoing scour at inland and tidal locations.
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Our Team

Ellen O'Brien, C.G., P.E.
President
With over 30 years of professional experience, Ms. O’Brien is licensed in geology and engineering, and certified in hydrology and has taught courses in hydrology at Bates College.
Nicole (Nicki) Buck, P.E.
Vice President
With over 20 years of modeling and GIS experience in engineering and geology applications, Ms. Buck works to create harmony between infrastructure and natural systems.

Our Projects

All
2-D Modeling
Bridges
Highway
Hydrological Studies & Dams
Railroads and Trails
Resiliency
Scour
Tidal
Tidal Bridge Replacement, Deer Ilse, ME
Tidal Culvert Analysis, George Wright Road, Woolwich, ME
Skewed Bridge, Madawaska- Edmundston International Bridge, Madawaska, ME
Design Build of Six I-95 Bridge Crossings, Hampden, ME
Regional Flooding Evaluation, Lye Brook, Manchester, VT
Thompson’s Bridge Replacement over Decker Cove, Southport, ME
Town of Brownville Junction, Maine
Highway Drainage for Proposed Interchange, Waterville, ME
Benjamin River Bridge between the Towns of Brooklin and Sedgwick, Maine.
Saco River Watershed for University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Highway Drainage and Large Culvert Design, 5 miles of Route 3 in Bar Harbor, Maine
Dam Removal, Industrial Client
Route 9 Bridge Kennebunk, ME
Landfill bank erosion and river bed restoration, Industrial Client
VTrans Culvert H&H Analysis, VT Statewide
Design-Build: I-91 Twin Bridges over Williams River in Rockingham, Vermont
Androscoggin River Bridge Replacement in Durham and Lisbon
Bike Path Bridges, Barrington/Warren, RI
Boombridge Bridge, Greenbush Maine
Cumberland and Bridge Street Bridges over Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine
Town of Bridgton, Hydrologic Analysis for Dry Fire Hydrant ISO Certification
Design Build: I-91 Twin Bridges over West River, Brattleboro, VT
Bass Harbor Bridge, Tremont, ME
Oceanville Bridge, Stonington, ME
Cobbossee Watershed District, Winthrop, ME