A Civil Engineering Practice Founded on the Principles of the 4-Way Test: of things we think, say, or do.

SERVICES

Specializing in Program Management/Project Management, Construction Management, Hydraulic Structures and Water Resources

Program/Project Management

Comprehensive program and/or project management services, as an extension of our client's staff, to ensure execution of their projects from start to finish.

Full-service Management for Clients
RFP Procurement of Professional Service Providers
Administration of Professional Service Providers
Client's Liaison to Oversee Execution of Work by Professional Service Providers
Technical Liaison for Review of Engineering Deliverables
Pre-Bid Phase Administration
Value Engineering Services

Construction Management

Expert construction management services to oversee and manage aspects of the construction process.

Bid Document Development Oversight
Bid Phase Management
Bid Evaluation and Selection
Pre-Construction Administration
Submittal Management
Construction Observation and Quality Assurance
Contract Regulation Administration
Change Management and Merit Evaluation
Project Closeout Phase Management
Post-Construction Claim Support
Expert Witness Services

Hydraulic Structures - Planning and Design

Intake Structures
Outlet Structures - Controlled and Uncontrolled
Spillway Structures - Controlled and Uncontrolled
Hydroelectric Facilities
Pumping Plant Facilities
Pressure Control Facilities
Water Conveyance Hydraulics
Water Pipeline Design
Steel Tunnel Liners
Specifying and Procuring Equipment

Water Resources

Hydrologic/Hydraulic Evaluation and Design
Probable Maximum Flood Determination
Inflow Design Flood Determination
Dam Break Analyses
Dam Safety Inspections and Analyses
Liaison with Dam Regulatory Agencies

ABOUT

Administration

Vanessa Simas brings over 15 years of experience managing confidential and sensitive information across public and private sectors. Since joining Hollenbeck Consulting in 2022, she has played a key role in providing cost-effective construction management administration. Vanessa ensures seamless collaboration between clients and project managers, enhancing project efficiency. Her ability to work independently, lead teams, and maintain positive relationships across the industry has made her a valuable asset to the firm.

Education

B.S. Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 2020

"No job is too 'ruff' or tough for the team at Hollenbeck Consulting!"

-Bear Hollenbeck, p.e.

(puppy extraordinaire)

ABOUT

Trusted Advisor, serving Public Agencies and Private Clients as an Extension of Their Staff to Execute and Complete Their Projects

John Hollenbeck, a professional civil engineer registered in California and Kansas, started doing business as Hollenbeck Consulting in 2012 to provide professional consultant services to public and private sector clients needing specializations in project management and construction management and serves his clients as an extension of their staff. John has 41 years of experience working on hydraulic structures affiliated with dams, pumping stations, pressure control facilities, hydroelectric plants, pipelines, and canals.

ASCE Involvement and Awards

John has been a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) since 1985. He has been affiliated with several award winning ASCE projects and served as the Vice President for the San Luis Obispo ASCE Branch from 2012-2013. Award winning projects include:

Diamond Valley Lake (Eastside Reservoir) Project - Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
- 2000 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement finalist
Nacimiento Water Project - San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
- 2012 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement finalist
- 2011 District 9 Pipeline Project of the Year
- 2011 Los Angeles Section Project of the Year
- 2011 San Luis Obispo Branch Project of the Year
Emergency and Carryover Storage Project - San Diego County Water Authority
- 2017 Outstanding Civil Engineering Award winner
Rancho Penasqutios Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facility - San Diego County Water Authority
- 2008 Outstanding Sustainable Engineering Achievement
- 2008 San Diego Section Award of Excellence
- 2008 District 9 Design Merit Award

Education

B.S. Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1984
M.S. Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1986

Professional Engineer - Civil

1989 Kansas, No. 11432
1999 California, No. C-59001

As-Needed Services for Clients

Since 2012, Hollenbeck Consulting has been delivering high-quality engineering and program management services with a strong focus on professionalism, precision, and results. Many of our clients continue to engage us on an as-needed basis—a reflection of the trust we build and the consistent value we provide. From project initiation through closeout, we deliver reliable expertise that keeps these clients coming back.

PFAS Water Treatment Project, Atascadero, CA, 2023-present

Project Management services to oversee the design of the new water treatment process plants for the removal of PFAS from the groundwater supplies. The capital project budget is $25-million. Services include design consultant coordination and review of technical deliverables, management of the bidding phase, performing construction management duties and quality assurance oversight during the construction phase, and project closeout.

Atascadero Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan, 2018-2022

Administrative and management support for the development of the Atascadero Basin’s Groundwater Suitability Agency, and the support of the Agency’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

Atascadero Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, 2014-2022

Program management for the development of the groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) over the Atascadero groundwater basin. Responsible for development of the memorandum of agreement with four forming-parties of the GSA, and organization and outreach to several stakeholders within the basin. Also responsible for the procurement of consulting professional for groundwater sustainability plan development.

Nacimiento Water Project, Energy Evaluation Study for Pumping Plant Peaking, 2012

Developed a spreadsheet program to analyze the “what if before” and “what if after” alternative scenarios for varying pumping conditions during the summer peaking period. The spreadsheet incorporates the hydraulic grade line information, PG&E tariffs, and a one-half hour time step function. The user can see the cost impact from their scenario choices.

Nacimiento and San Antonio Dam Projects, Paso Robles, CA

2019-present

Nacimiento Dam Hydroelectric Facility
Nacimiento Dam Spillway Chute
Nacimiento Dam Spillway Plunge Pool
Nacimiento Dam Access Road Rehabilitation
Interlake Tunnel Project, Nacimiento/San Antonio Reservoirs
San Antonio Dam Spillway Replacement

Dam Upgrade Projects, Snelling, CA 2018-present

Contract Engineering Manager and Construction Manager/Resident Engineer for infrastructure upgrades at the Merced Falls Dam, McSwain Dam, and New Exchequer Dam hydroelectric facilities on the Merced River.

Project Management services to procure design engineering, manage the design consultants, perform technical review of all deliverables, manage the bidding phase for construction, and perform construction management services managing the contractor and conducting quality assurance oversight for the following projects:
- Merced Falls Dam and Hydroelectric Facility - Electrical station service upgrades including electrical gear replacement and new standby generator
- Merced Falls Dam and Hydroelectric Facility – Civil/mechanical upgrades including trashrack cleaning machinery installation, trashrack replacements, structural steel platform over the unit intake bay, miscellaneous metal installations, and spillway Tainter gate hoist mechanical and electrical controls replacement.
Construction management and resident engineering services for the following projects:
- Merced Falls Dam – Embankment levee improvements.
- Merced Falls Dam Spillway – Handrailing installation atop the needle beam spillway.
- Merced Falls Dam Spillway – Removal circa 1930 Tainter gates and replacement with new Tainter gates.
- McSwain Dam Spillway - Extension of large concrete wall spillway abutment to protect erodible materials from the Probable Maximum Flood
- New Exchequer Dam – Repaving of dam crest road and installation of downdrains to control stormwater.
Project management services for the design engineer and turbine equipment supplier for the McSwain Dam and Hydroelectric Facility’s Kaplan Turbine Replacement Project.

Measure K-14 Street Rehabilitation and Repair Capital Projects, 2015-2020

Engineering program management services to the City for the implementation of their city-wide $48M street rehabilitation and repair program. Responsible for procurement for design and construction management professional services, bidding phase implementation of contractor selection, and owner’s management during construction.

Previous Clients and Projects

Avila Bay Estates Homeowners Association, Stormdrain Repair Project, Avila, CA, 2023-2024
Black & Veatch Coorporation, Peer Review - Canal Modernization Project, Contra Costa Water District, 2018
COWI, Interlake Tunnel Project: Nacimiento and San Antonio Lakes, Bradley, CA, 2014-2019
Reconnaissance Level Feasibility Studies, Hydroelectric Energy Recovery, City of San Luis Obispo, 2012-2013
*Nacimiento Water Project, San Luis Obispo County Public Works, 2005-2012
State Water Project East Branch Phase II Enlargement Study, State Water Project Contractors, 2004-2005
Raising San Vincente Dam, San Diego Water Authority, 2004-2005
In-lieu Groundwater Recharge, Coachella Valley Water District, 2004-2005
Inter-Agency Water Management Study, Mojave Water Agency and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 2004-2005
*Morris Dam Rehabilitation Project, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, 2000-2003
*Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facility, San Diego County Water Authority, 2002-2003
Cost Refinement Study of the Imperial Irrigation District to San Diego County Water Authority Water Transfer, San Diego County Water Authority, 2001
*Diamond Valley Lake, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 1994-2000

*Notable/Merited Project

CURRENT & NOTABLE PROJECTS

PFAS Water Treatment Facility - Atascadero Mutual Water Company

Hollenbeck Consulting has been supporting the $25-million PFAS Water Treatment Project in Atascadero. We are overseeing full project delivery, including design consultant coordination, technical review of deliverables, bidding and procurement support, construction management, quality assurance oversight, and final project closeout.

The AMWC has over 10,000 connections and manages a resilient water supply through their extensive groundwater sources. They invested in the Nacimiento Water Project, an imported water supply, to supplement their groundwater resources with up to 3,000 acre-feet for groundwater recharge.

Atascadero Basin Groundwater Sustainability - Atascadero Mutual Water Company

Our long-term work in the Atascadero Basin includes leading administrative and management services for the formation and ongoing operations of the Atascadero Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA).

From 2014 through 2022, we guided the development of the GSA through multi-party agreements, stakeholder coordination, and public outreach, while also managing the procurement of professional consultants responsible for developing the basin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan. This effort continued through 2022 with sustained support for agency formation and implementation activities. In addition, we provided management and technical support for the Atascadero Basin Groundwater Sustainability Plan between 2018 and 2022, helping ensure regulatory compliance, stakeholder alignment, and effective long-term groundwater resource planning.

San Antonio Dam Spillway - Monterey County Water Resource Agency

We support the MCWRA as part of their management team for the replacement of the San Antonio Dam Spillway and provide specialized hydraulic structure technical support to assure quality deliverables to the California Division of Safety of Dams. The DSOD judges the existing spillway chute, constructed in 1967, has reached the end of its technical life and has ordered its replacement. The control (fixed crest ogee weir) and terminal (flip bucket) structures are eligible to remain in service. The concrete chute replacement is approximately 1600-feet long. The spillway will accommodate Probable Maximum Flood. Reassessment of the PMF through the development of updated unit hydrographs has realized a nearly 20-percent reduction in the peak outflow. A hardened plunge pool is an additional feature being added to control the discharged energy from the spillway.

Nacimiento Dam Hydroelectric Facilities - Monterey County Water Resource Agency

Our services have included engineering design, administrative management, and construction support for several projects at the Nacimiento Dam and Hydroelectric Facility, including:
-Replacement of low-level outlet eccentric plug valves discharge valves;
-Hydraulic analysis and cavitation protection design for the EPVs;
-Design of turbine shutoff valve lockout device;
-Design of revised low-level outlet control system to bypass the hydroelectric powerhouse to improve operational reliability and safety;
-Resident engineering and construction management services for annual maintenance and major spillway rehabilitation projects; and
-Management of plunge pool improvements designed to enhance long-term structural performance and erosion protection.

In addition, Hollenbeck Consulting developed the MCWRA’s standard front-end documents for construction procurement and execution.

Interlake Tunnel Project - Monterey County Water Resource Agency

Hollenbeck Consulting has provided technical hydraulic structure engineering services to the MCWRA for the ILT Project since 2014, as a member of their management support team. Nacimiento River watershed is about three-times more productive than the San Antonio River watershed, and the maximum normal operating level at Nacimiento is 20-feet higher than San Antonio’s level. Our spreadsheet modeling efforts established the determination of the additional safe yield from the Nacimiento and San Antonio watersheds when both reservoirs are connected by a new water tunnel. A new net benefit in the safe yield is also realized when considering a seven-feet rise in the maximum operating level at San Antonio. The tunnel sizing and hydraulic performance were all developed through hydraulic spreadsheet analyses during the preliminary design phase. We provided the initial layout of all hydraulic structures including a submerged intake facility at Lake Nacimiento and the Outlet Control Facility and Energy Dissipator at San Antionio Lake.

McSwain Dam and Hyrdroelectric Facilities - Merced Irrigation District

Hollenbeck Consulting provides construction management and resident engineering services for the McSwain Dam and Hydroelectric Facility for the emergency spillway abutment protection wall extension to accommodate the Probable Maximum Flood discharge.

We provide project management services for the procurement of the new Kaplan Turbine replacement. The original five-blade 12,000 hp Kaplan Turbine was installed in 1967. Services include coordination with the design engineer, development of turbine equipment procurement, administrative oversight of the equipment supplier, and management services for construction procurement.

Merced Falls Dam and Hydroelectric Facilities - Merced Irrigation District

Our services for contract and construction management support began in 2018, involving several complex civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades to MID’s Hydroelectric Facilities, including:

- Contract and Construction Management: electrical station-service upgrades; civil, structural, and mechanical improvements for new trashrack cleaning machine; and replacement of spillway Tainter Gate hoist mechanical and electrical control systems.
- Construction Management: replacement of the three original 1930 Tainter Gates with new Tainter Gates; handrail safety improvement system on Needle Beam spillway; and levee embankment and revetment improvements.

New Exchequer Dam and Hydroelectric Facilities - Merced Irrigation District

Hollenbeck Consulting provided on-site construction management services for the repaving of the New Exchequer Dam crest. The existing asphaltic concrete crest had reached the end of its technical life. The MID in-house design specified a mill and overlay of new hot-mixed asphalt, a Type A asphalt dike and new downdrains to direct water onto the rock face of the dam away from the edge of the crest road. We oversaw the quality assurance sampling and testing by an independent testing laboratory.

Nacimiento Water Project - San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

John was hired by the County of San Luis Obispo to manage the design, bidding, construction, and startup phases of the Nacimiento Water Project. The Project can deliver 15,750 acre-feet per year of raw water to local water purveyors between Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. The Project is a 45-mile long pipeline conveyance (welded steel and ductile iron) and several hydraulic structures including a lake intake structure, pump stations, storage tanks, customer turnouts, and a fiberoptic backbone control system. Pipeline construction employed open-trenching, over 10,000-feet of horizontal directional drilling, and multiple bore-and-jack crossings. John delivered the Project in 2011 on schedule and $2.5-million under budget. The Project awards are: merit awardee for the National ASCE 2012 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award; 2011 Project of the Year honors from ASCE District 9, Los Angeles Section, and the San Luis Obispo Branch. John received 2011 Outstanding Civil Engineer in Public Employment from the ASCE Branch and Section.

Diamond Valley Lake (Eastside Reservoir) - Metropolitan Water District

John was a member of a multi-discipline and multi-company design engineering team from 1993 to 2000 for MWD's Southern California Eastside Reservoir Project, now known as the Diamond Valley Lake Project. The Project is an off-stream 800,000 acre-feet storage reservoir to provide emergency supply and seasonal carryover storage for the MWD eastern service area. John provided lead engineering management for the Hiram W. Wadsworth Pumping Plant and Pressure Control Facility. The plant includes 12 variable-speed vertical turbine pumps (72,400 total horsepower) and seven vertical sleeve valves to regulate reservoir drafting, plus large-diameter welded steel pipelines; 54- to 193-inch, 144-inch butterfly valves; a 144-inch spherical valve; two 78-inch fixed cone valves; and a dedicated 115-kV substation. John coordinated integration of the mechanical, hydraulic, structural, and electrical systems for reliable long-term operation of one of Southern California’s most significant water storage projects. The Eastside Reservoir Project was a merit awardee for the National 2000 ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award.

Morris Dam Rehabilitation Project - Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

John managed electrical and mechanical rehabilitation of the 1930’s dam for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. The dam is a 245-foot concrete gravity dam with a three-bay drum-gate spillway and six low-level outlets. Modernization rehabilitation included replacement of drum gate seals and control equipment, original low-level outlet valves, a new electrical systems throughout the dam, and a new Control House with local-remote operation capability. He led delivery from planning through detailed design, and attended the ribbon cutting. The dam’s original ribbon cutting in 1934 was attended by former President Herbert Hoover.

Morris Dam was commemorated a California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by ASCE in 1995 and was dedicated in 2024 as an ASCE National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facilities - San Diego County Water Authority

John was the lead project engineer for the design of the Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facility, a project for the San Diego County Water Authority. The Project is an element of the Authority’s Emergency Storage Project and control water flow on Pipeline No. 5 of the Second Aqueduct and to/from the San Vicente Reservoir. As lead engineer, he lead the design of a 4.5-MW horizontal Francis turbine energy-recovery system to convert excess pressure to renewable power, along with parallel horizontal sleeve valves for flow control and reliability.

The Project is an element of the entire ESP which received the 2017 ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award. The Project also received awards for 2008 ASCE Outstanding Sustainable Engineering Achievement Award, the 2008 ASCE San Diego Section Award of Excellence, and the 2008 ASCE District 9 Design Merit Award.

Measure K-14 Street Rehabilitation and Repair - City of Grover Beach

Hollenbeck Consulting provided engineering program management services to the City for the implementation of their city-wide $48M Measure K-14 street rehabilitation and repair project. We served as an extension of City’s management and engineering staff to implement this important project for the citizens of the City. Responsibilities included procurement for design and construction management professional services, bidding phase oversight for contractor selection, and City’s liaison management during construction and construction close-out.

PROJECTS

Professional & Civic Associations

Member since 2019

Member since 2026

Student Member 1980-1984
Member since 1985

Member since 2025

Member 2005-2019
Atascadero President 2014-2015

CONTACT

John R. Hollenbeck, P.E.*

John@HollenbeckConsulting.com

Cell: 805-458-7268

*Kansas and California

Mailing Address:

7343 El Camino Real #195

Atascadero, California 93422

Physical Address:

6907 El Camino Real, Suite A-8

Atascadero, California 93422

A Civil Engineering Practice Founded on the Principles of the 4-Way Test: of things we think, say, or do.

SERVICES

Specializing in Program Management/Project Management, Construction Management, Hydraulic Structures and Water Resources

Program/Project Management Comprehensive program and/or project management services, as an extension of our client's staff, to ensure execution of their projects from start to finish.

Construction Management Expert construction management services to oversee and manage aspects of the construction process.

Hydraulic Structures - Planning and Design

Water Resources

ABOUT

Trusted Advisor, serving Public Agencies and Private Clients as an Extension of Their Staff to Execute and Complete Their Projects

As-Needed Services for Clients

Previous Clients and Projects

Avila Bay Estates Homeowners Association, Stormdrain Repair Project, Avila, CA, 2023-2024

Black & Veatch Coorporation, Peer Review - Canal Modernization Project, Contra Costa Water District, 2018

COWI, Interlake Tunnel Project: Nacimiento and San Antonio Lakes, Bradley, CA, 2014-2019

Reconnaissance Level Feasibility Studies, Hydroelectric Energy Recovery, City of San Luis Obispo, 2012-2013

*Nacimiento Water Project, San Luis Obispo County Public Works, 2005-2012

State Water Project East Branch Phase II Enlargement Study, State Water Project Contractors, 2004-2005

Raising San Vincente Dam, San Diego Water Authority, 2004-2005

In-lieu Groundwater Recharge, Coachella Valley Water District, 2004-2005

Inter-Agency Water Management Study, Mojave Water Agency and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 2004-2005

*Morris Dam Rehabilitation Project, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, 2000-2003

*Rancho Penasquitos Pressure Control and Hydroelectric Facility, San Diego County Water Authority, 2002-2003

Cost Refinement Study of the Imperial Irrigation District to San Diego County Water Authority Water Transfer, San Diego County Water Authority, 2001

*Diamond Valley Lake, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, 1994-2000

*Notable/Merited Project​

CURRENT & NOTABLE PROJECTS

Professional & Civic Associations

Member since 2019

Member since 2026

Student Member 1980-1984 Member since 1985

Member since 2025

Member 2005-2019 Atascadero President 2014-2015

CONTACT

Program/Project Management

Comprehensive program and/or project management services, as an extension of our client's staff, to ensure execution of their projects from start to finish.

Construction Management

Expert construction management services to oversee and manage aspects of the construction process.

*Notable/Merited Project

Student Member 1980-1984
Member since 1985

Member 2005-2019
Atascadero President 2014-2015