History of Munson Engineers, Inc.
In 1933, self-taught engineer and Department of Highways employee Ike Munson was charged with surveying and laying a route through the Cascades. This route, State Highway 20, was chosen as Washington's most spectacularly scenic highways. Before the completion of the highway, Ike had advanced to District Engineer for the Department of Highways. He and his son, Chuck, teamed with Chuck Nash in 1962 to form a partnership in Wenatchee that has had long lasting significant impacts on the growth and development of Central Washington.
In March of 1962 they had their first contract. Munson-Nash and Associates was assigned total engineering responsibilities for the Douglas County Public Utilities District’s Wells Hydroelectric project. The firm established the boundaries of the Wells reservoir, re-established the lines of individual property holdings within the reservoir and prepared Exhibit “K” drawings of the entire reservoir for the Federal Power Commission. Munson-Nash also coordinated the acquisition of land to be flooded by the rising waters. They designed and supervised the construction of over 150 irrigation systems for the partially flooded orchards. The firm planned the relocation of the towns of Pateros and Brewster. Pateros was redesigned and raised six to twelve feet though a large scale fill operation. New streets, water systems and sewer systems were constructed for both towns. The project was completed on schedule over the course of five and a half years.While engineering the Wells Hydroelectric project, Munson-Nash began its relationship with the City of Wanatchee by accepting a contract to develop arterial streets.
During that time, Munson-Nash began its relationship with the City of Wenatchee for arterial street development. After a series of name changes and mergers, Munson Engineers, Inc. became a Wenatchee based independent corporation in the early 1970’s. Bob Culp joined Munson Engineers, Inc. in 1984 and is currently the managing principal engineer for the firm.
Munson is staffed with a small group of qualified and experienced engineers, land surveyors and engineering technicians. Due to the small size of the company, personal attention can be given to each client. Team members remain on the project from start to finish, fostering a spirit of cohesion.
The personnel at Munson have exceptional educational backgrounds and years of experience. Recent college graduates team with veterans and share knowledge in order to give the client a reliable, innovative solution. Munson Engineers, Inc. employees attend seminars, including an arsenic water treatment technology training in July 2005. Employees are kept knowledgeable in advanced methodology so that the company can accommodate the growing and changing needs of Eastern Washington.
Up-to-date technical capabilities are used in surveying, computer modeling, simulation and design, enabling the staff to complete projects efficiently and accurately. Munson is a local eastern Washington company. It uses local banks, accountants, attorneys and venders, and contributes to local charities. Since the beginning of Munson Engineers, Inc., the company has proven to be influential in the economic success of the north central Washington area.
Since the initial street arterial development, Munson Engineers, Inc. has taken part in many major arterial street developments, helping to define Wenatchee and surrounding towns. Munson has expanded their range of services to meet the changing needs of the city. No longer does the company specialize in only street developments, but they have also developed and implemented water systems plans. Over the years, Munson’s unique style of design and the management process has proved successful. All contracted timelines are met by Munson over the past 45 years. Roads designed are still operating with minimal maintenance.
Munson Engineers designed several brand new Group A water systems in the vicinity of Electric City in the last several years serving hundreds of residential customers including the Roosevelt Lake Ranch Water System, the Dear Meadows Water System and the Lakeview Heights Water System, all between Wilbur and Fort Spokane along the shoreline of Roosevelt Lake.