Walter Dinicola, P.E., F.ASCE, a principal engineer at Anchor QEA Inc., has been named a fellow by the ASCE Board of Direction.
Dinicola’s most significant achievements in the dredging and coastal engineering community center on his innovative leadership, dedication to sustainability, and unwavering commitment to advancing the field. In his current position he has spearheaded complex projects that have redefined best practices in dredging and coastal engineering, blending technical excellence with environmental stewardship.
One of his hallmark contributions is his leadership in sustainable sediment management and innovative dredging methodologies. He has overseen numerous large-scale contaminated sediment remediation projects (i.e., Upper Hudson River Remedial Design, Bair Comeau Sediment Remediation Project, and Onondaga Lake Sediment Remediation Project), integrating advanced dredging techniques to minimize environmental impact while achieving project objectives. Dinicola’s ability to implement various technologies, such as precision dredging and sediment capping, has significantly reduced the dispersion of contaminants during operations, protecting aquatic ecosystems while meeting regulatory and client demands.
Dinicola’s contributions extend beyond technical expertise to include significant impacts on policy and education. He has been an active participant in shaping industry standards through his involvement in professional organizations, including contributions to technical committees and advocacy for sustainable dredging and coastal practices.
He has also taught numerous classes in the dredging industry. These classes/short courses include ASCE COPRI Ports 2019 Conference Short Course on “Dredging 101: Fundamentals of Dredging”; Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Dredging Summit and Expo 2019 Short Course on “Dredging 101: Fundamentals of Dredging”; and National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) 2019 & 2021 Short Course on “Dredging Fundamentals for Shipyard Operations.” Furthermore, he has served as a mentor to the next generation of engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within his teams and the broader engineering community.
Dinicola’s contributions to dredging and coastal engineering exemplify technical mastery, environmental foresight, and visionary leadership. His achievements have advanced the industry by demonstrating that engineering excellence and sustainability can coexist. His dedication to innovation, mentorship, and the betterment of the engineering profession ensures that his impact will continue to resonate for years to come.
WEDA recognized him with its 2024 Dredger of the Year (DOTY) award. WEDA confers the DOTY award annually on an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of dredging, including mentoring of others. The association honored Dinicola with this award in recognition of his commitment to the dredging and port and harbor community, for his tireless work to advance dredge technology and dredged material management alternatives, including beneficial use, and for being a great mentor to countless young engineers in the dredging industry.
