Grounded in experience and care

We bring field-tested restoration to landscapes and waterways that need it most.

Foundation

Mission

Restore rivers using natural design principles.

Vision

Thoughtful, informed stewardship of our rivers and watersheds, with people working together to restore balance between human activity and natural systems.

Flow State Land & Water exists to help rivers function the way they naturally should

Story

The company grew out of years of hands-on conservation work and a commitment to understanding how water systems behave over time, especially where they’ve been altered and stressed.

Founder John Chapman has spent the past 16 years working in conservation. His early work focused on watershed-scale ecosystem restoration with the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii. After returning to Arkansas, he narrowed his focus to river systems closer to home. He served as Watershed Specialist at the Watershed Conservation Resource Center and later as Watershed Restoration Program Director at The Nature Conservancy, where he helped guide restoration projects across the region.

Through that work, it became clear that despite how essential healthy rivers are to drinking water, infrastructure, habitat, and recreation, there are very few companies doing this kind of careful, science-informed, hands-on restoration. Flow State was formed to meet that need.

Today, the company is a small, experienced team restoring waterways in Arkansas and beyond. Recent projects include the Huntsville Dam removal and restoration on War Eagle Creek, one of the largest stream restoration efforts ever completed in the state; the restoration of over a mile of the West Fork of the White River, reducing sediment and improving habitat; and the Blossom Way stream and floodplain restoration in Rogers, which helped protect nearby neighborhoods and the Razorback Greenway from flooding and erosion.

Across every project, Flow State brings creativity, seasoned judgment, and practical problem-solving, along with a deep respect for the rivers and communities they work in.

The people behind the work

Our Team

John Chapman

John Chapman

Founder

Founded Flow State in 2020 with 16+ years in ecological restoration and field construction.

Crystal Rust

Co-Owner

Crystal oversees the company’s administrative and financial operations and supports strategic growth.

Ryan Rohlfs

Stream Restoration Project Foreman

9 years in stream restoration and heavy equipment operation. Avid hunter, fisherman, and hunting guide.

Josh Vail

Stream Restoration Specialist

5 years specializing in stream restoration and rock work. Trail builder and passionate mountain biker.

Eric Chitwood

Stream Restoration Specialist

Known for organization and detail, keeping projects on track. Whitewater kayaking and rafting enthusiast.

Cole Bailey

Stream Restoration Specialist

Carpentry and martial arts background; go-to hammer operator. Hunter, fisherman, and whitewater paddler.

Wes Montgomery

Stream Restoration Specialist

Known for tackling any job. Versatile problem-solver with a team-first attitude.

How we approach our work

Principles

Integrity

We’re honest about what a project needs and clear about what’s possible. We show up with respect for the land, the science, and communities.

Relationship

Our partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and collaboration, and we stay mindful of our connection to the natural environment.

Resilience

We design and build with nature’s realities in mind, creating projects that can adapt to changing conditions.

Excellence

We take pride in doing things well. Our field experience, technical skill, and practical problem-solving lead to reliable, high-quality work.

Safety

We respect the risks of this work. That means asking questions, admitting when we’re unsure, and looking out for each other.

    Flow State has played a crucial role in optimizing our water management strategies. Their knowledge and commitment are truly exceptional!

    Jordan T.

    Flow State Land & Water has been vital in enhancing our approach to water resource management. Their expertise and passion are unparalleled!

    Samantha R.

    Flow State Land & Water has significantly improved our water resource management. Their skill and dedication are second to none!

    Alex P

on 57 Google Reviews

In The News

Beaver Watershed Alliance

2025 Watershed Champions Recognized

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Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

War Eagle Revival: Moving Mountains for Conservation

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Rochester Christian University

Clinton River rerouted to save Palmer Hall

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Sager Creek Siloam Springs, AR

Bob Henry Park Riparian Restoration Project

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Restoring communities, one waterway at a time

Explore services
John Chapman
John Chapman

John Chapman

Founder

John Chapman specializes in the construction of ecological restoration projects and has more than 16 years of experience in the field. His background in geosciences, restoration, and construction uniquely enables him to translate the technical aspects of stream restoration design into efficient, buildable projects in the field.

He frequently serves as a conduit between engineers and construction professionals, helping bridge the gap between technical design intent and on-the-ground implementation. John is skilled in 3-dimensional modeling, construction technologies, including GPS machine control, high-precision surveying, and geospatial analysis.

After 11 years working in conservation nonprofit organizations, he founded Flow State LLC in 2020 to address the need for high-quality stream and floodplain restoration construction in Northwest Arkansas.

Crystal Rust

Co-Owner

Crystal Rust is the co-owner of Flow State and has been an integral part of the company since its founding. As the leader of the company’s administrative and financial operations, she oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other essential business functions while helping guide strategic planning and decision-making.

In Flow State’s early years, Crystal wore many hats, contributing to nearly every aspect of the business. From operating equipment and assisting with bioengineering projects to installing native vegetation and restoration plantings, she helped build the company from the ground up. Today, she continues to enjoy working in the field and remains actively involved in native revegetation and planting projects whenever possible.

With a background rooted in creativity, Crystal is an artist, maker, and problem-solver whose innovative perspective brings unique value to Flow State. Her combination of practical experience, organizational leadership, and creative thinking helps drive the company’s success and supports its commitment to thoughtful, sustainable environmental restoration.

Ryan Rohlfs

Stream Restoration Project Foreman

Ryan oversees day-to-day field operations, ensuring projects are executed efficiently and to the highest standards. With nine years of experience in stream restoration and civil construction, Ryan brings deep technical knowledge and hands-on expertise to every job.

He is a highly skilled operator across a wide range of heavy equipment, including excavators and dozers, and plays a key role in keeping projects on track in the field.

Originally from Wyoming, Ryan has a strong connection to the outdoors. Outside of work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and golf and works as a hunting guide with his family during the fall season.

Josh Vail

Stream Restoration Specialist

Josh brings over seven years of experience operating heavy equipment. For the past five years, he has specialized in stream restoration, where he plays a key role in shaping and stabilizing natural waterways.

Josh is particularly skilled in rock work and grading, bringing precision and efficiency to every project. His hands-on background as a trail builder gives him a strong understanding of working within natural landscapes and creating durable, functional designs.

Known for his energy and positive attitude, Josh is a fun and reliable presence on any crew. Outside of work, he’s passionate about the outdoors and enjoys mountain biking whenever he gets the chance.

Eric Chitwood

Stream Restoration Specialist

Eric has been an integral part of the team for the past four years. Known for his organization and attention to detail, Eric helps keep projects running smoothly while maintaining a high standard of quality across the board.
He’s always willing to step in wherever needed, bringing a dependable and team-first mindset to every job. His thorough approach and strong work ethic make him a valuable asset both in the field and behind the scenes.
Eric has a deep passion for whitewater and can often be found kayaking, rafting, or paddling just about anything that floats. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and positive attitude make him not only a great teammate, but also a genuinely good person to work with.

Cole Bailey

Stream Restoration Specialist

Cole has been with the team for about a year. With a background in carpentry and martial arts, he brings a strong sense of discipline, precision, and craftsmanship to his work.

Cole is known for his attention to detail and ability to get things exactly right—whether it’s grading, fabrication, or fine-tuning a project to level and alignment. He’s quickly developed his equipment operating skills and has become the team’s go-to hammer operator, as well as a reliable hand for any fabrication work.

Outside of work, Cole is deeply connected to the outdoors. An avid hunter, fisherman, and whitewater paddler, he brings that same focus and dedication from the field into every project. His precision and work ethic make him a valuable asset to the team.

Wes Montgomery

Stream Restoration Specialist

Wes has been with the team for a little over a year. He brings a diverse background in plumbing and trail construction, along with the discipline and reliability necessary for this work.

Wes is known for his versatility and willingness to take on whatever the job requires, always with a positive attitude. He is highly skilled in welding and pipe fitting and has a knack for problem-solving—able to figure out just about anything with the right amount of time and focus.

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