Rainbow Creek Restoration Project Earns APWA Project of the Year Award

The Rainbow Creek Restoration Project in San Diego County has received the 2026 Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA) San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter in the Environment category for projects valued between $2 million and $5 million.

The award recognizes outstanding public works projects that demonstrate excellence in management, administration, design, construction, sustainability, and community impact. The Rainbow Creek Restoration Project was submitted by the San Diego County Department of Public Works and reflects a collaborative effort to restore ecological function and improve watershed resilience within the Rainbow Creek corridor.

The project helped the County of San Diego meet TMDL nutrient-reduction requirements while enhancing habitat conditions and improving the overall health of the creek system. By restoring natural biogeochemical processes and riparian habitat, the project supports improved water quality, ecological connectivity, and long-term resilience for the surrounding community and environment.

“We are honored to see the Rainbow Creek Restoration Project recognized by APWA,” said Glen Parker, President of the Board of Directors. This project demonstrates the power of collaboration in delivering infrastructure and environmental solutions that deliver meaningful benefits to both communities and ecosystems.

The award was presented during the APWA San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter Awards Program on May 21, 2026, at the Sheraton Four Points in Kearny Mesa.

RES partnered with the San Diego County Department of Public Works and RICK Engineering to advance restoration goals and deliver a durable, nature-based solution for nutrient reduction in the watershed.

The APWA Project of the Year Awards highlight excellence in public works projects across the region, recognizing agencies and teams that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and positive community impact through infrastructure delivery and environmental stewardship.