Brennan Insights
Brennan’s articles go deeper than a typical blog. We share technical knowledge, project lessons, company news, environmental insights, recognition, and stories from the field.
By Merril Collins The discovery of golden mussels in California has quickly become more than an environmental story. For owners of dams, hydropower facilities, ports, industrial waterfronts, water treatment plants, and other critical water infrastructure, it represents a growing operational concern. Like zebra and quagga mussels before, golden mussels rapidly colonize submerged structures, restricting water […]
Brennan’s permanent presence in St. Louis didn’t begin with an acquisition. It started seven years ago with a phone call. Matthew Hogan, Brennan’s regional operations director, needed marine support for a small drilling project and called Mindy Brundick, Budrovich’s regional operations manager. Challenging river conditions tested the crews, but the project also revealed something that […]
Brennan will reach a significant milestone in water treatment operations this year: treating our five-billionth gallon of water. We expect to reach this landmark in October 2026, and as soon as we do, we will charge straight past it. We tally the gallons every day as we complete water treatment scopes for environmental dredging projects […]
Scheduled nuclear outages are built on precision, coordination, and trust. Every work scope is planned months, and often years, in advance to ensure facilities return to service safely and on schedule. When underwater inspections, repairs, or debris removal are part of that scope, the same level of preparation must extend below the waterline. Underwater work […]
Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) operates the Rock Island Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River approximately 14 miles downstream of Wenatchee, WA. The project has two powerhouses, a gated spillway, and three fish passages. Brennan was contracted to perform concrete overlays in the draft tube of Unit B-8 in Powerhouse #1 to increase the efficiency of the […]
Addressing Dioxin and Furan Contamination Under the Great Lakes Legacy Act, and in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and an industry partner, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office requested construction services to address dioxin and furan contamination within Thomson Reservoir. The project, located in Carlton, Minnesota, was […]
We are thrilled to announce that Brennan’s Poulsbo, WA, and Winters, CA, sites have officially earned certification to ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) Systems as part of our most recent scope extension. This is an outstanding achievement that not only highlights our technical expertise but […]
PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are at the center of one of today’s most complex environmental challenges. Used for decades in everything from manufacturing processes to firefighting foam applications, these persistent compounds are now found in soil, sediment, and waterways across the country. As research and regulations evolve, organizations are seeking trusted partners who can safely […]
Identifying Spillway Failure Risks and Project Background The Upper Baker Dam Spillway Stabilization project addressed potential failure modes in the dam’s spillway chute’s foundation, identified during a 2019 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Part 12D dam safety workshop. After extensive analysis, design, and consultation with FERC, the project came to fruition.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RHODE ISLAND – Saturday, September 20, 2025, J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) christened its newest barge, the Michael Turner, during a gathering that was as heartfelt and full of energy as its namesake. The event brought together Brennan leadership, union members, colleagues, family, and friends for a day that reflected the warmth of Mike […]
J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to announce that it has been Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the ninth consecutive year. This recognition reflects Brennan’s long-standing commitment to fostering a culture where employees feel safe, valued, supported, and empowered. This year’s certification marks a milestone, with 113 more employees participating in the survey than […]
J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to announce that it has been recertified as a Great Place To Work® for the eighth consecutive year. 89% of employees affirm the company as a great workplace, a 2% increase from last year’s 87%, underscoring Brennan’s commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. Over 80% of Brennan employees […]