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Wetland Restoration
DMS holds an A general engineering license to perform restoration projects from the design phase through completion, monitoring construction progress and providing environmental compliance with state and federal agencies. Wetland enhancement is performed by bringing land elevations to suitable heights for seasonal and tidal wetlands and is achieved by mechanical or hydraulic fill methods. Dixon Marine has also performed vernal pool construction, revegetation programs, native habitat studies and monitoring on local species of birds, fish and wildlife to provide the best support on restoring land to its natural state with minimal impact to local and native species. The Montezuma Wetlands Restoration Project is an example of an ongoing restoration effort near Grizzly Island in the Suisun Bay that DMS was a part of for over four years.
Water Quality Monitoring
DMS has performed water quality studies throughout the San Francisco Bay and Delta regions. The objectives of the studies have ranged from water quality monitoring for permit compliance to demonstrating the effectiveness of a treatment process. Our team has performed monitoring programs where data was collected from remote data collection platforms and posted to a webpage for stakeholders to review in nearly real time (Lower Snake River Dredging Project). This team has the experience, know-how and equipment to monitor a wide array of parameters s
imultaneously with the ability to integrate the process and provide performance data from different operational units. Field equipment used is designed for monitoring of pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, turbidity, temperature, depth and conductivity simultaneously in-water for real time data. We have designed water quality programs to ask specific questions about the impacts of construction or dredging projects on the surrounding aquatic environment or the effectiveness of a mitigation measure. DMS worked with companies on the Napa River, providing in-water turbidity control and support with the installation of a turbidity curtain and monitoring TSS levels in the river during construction activity. DMS recorded habits of local wildlife and birds in and around site for potential effects on habitat while flood control actions were carried out. We understand the need to maintain high standards for compliance with regulatory permitting in all water quality criteria projects, and can recommend and implement procedures to comply with regulation. DMS can also provide current measurement and analysis, marine wave and tide analysis. In the near future, DMS is acquiring bathymetric and side scanner sonar capability for additional marine study support.
Aquatic Habitat Monitoring
DMS scientists have conducted dozens of ecological and environmental studies of both fishes and aquatic invertebrates (planktonic and benthic) outside and within the San Francisco Estuary system, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Studies have incorporated field sampling studies and experimental laboratory studies as well as various dissections to determine physical characteristics. Subject matter of the studies has included predator-prey and food web interactions, phytoplankton dynamics, zooplankton vertical migrations, temporal distributions, benthos distributions, fish distributions, and evaluations of environmental damage to aquatic fish and fauna. DMS provides benthic and fishery surveys using fish trawls, fluke and plankton nets for collection and analysis.
Surveying
DMS can provide survey data on both marine and terrestrial environments. A wide variety of 
boats and off-road vehicles allow DMS to navigate any situation with equipment to provide GPS and GIS data. Survey data was provided on the Montezuma Wetland Restoration project for all areas being restored, including newly constructed and existing levy settlement, and sediment elevation in the low and upland wetland marshes.
Vibracore and Sediment Sampling
DMS has developed a complete line of sediment sampling systems in support of the engineering and dredging community. We own a variety of vibracores capable of collecting continuous core samples from five to twenty feet deep into the sea floor. The vibracore is equipped with a penetrometer that records rate and depth of penetration, with accuracy to a hundredth of a foot. This
system is intregal to a dgps system for accurate positioning, and equipped with a quadropod stand which allows the vibracore to be stable on the sea bottom and operate without the need of anchoring the vessel. DMS does vibracore sampling ranging in size from an 2 inch to as 8 inch drivehead which can be mounted onto the airboat for wetland sediment characterizations. We offer a variety of platforms in which to perform our work, ranging from our reseach vessel the Lakota to a 20 by 40 sectional barge with a moonpool to the 18ft airboat.
In addition to our vibracoring, we offer gravity or dart cores for collection of sediment cores 1 to 5 feet below the mud line.
Consulting/Permitting
DMS can assess marine situations for regulatory support and permits needed to accomplish a project. Impact evaluations, cost, testing services, and QA/QC support have been provided on several past projects including the Lower Snake River Dredging project, and the Montezuma Wetlands Restoration project.
Dive Support
DMS has worked with agencies and local power plants (Antioch and Pittsburg Power Plants) providing dive support during dredging activity to comply with permits requirements.
