Craig Goff

Craig is Technical Director and lead of the Dams and Reservoirs team and Emerging Technologies sector. He joined HR Wallingford in 2012.

Professional background: Chartered Engineer (CEng); Chartered Manager (CMgr); MSc Irrigation Engineering and Water Management; BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering; Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE); Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI); Supervising Panel Engineer; British Dam Society member.

What is your background/area of specialisation? I have a background in civil engineering and specialise in dam safety using my engineering knowledge and experience as a panel engineer under the UK Reservoirs Act 1975, to help convert our cutting-edge research into specialist consultancy services in the dams and reservoirs sector. Working with a great team of dams engineers, asset management specialists, dam break modellers and sedimentation modellers enables us to develop solutions to even the most complex reservoir safety issues. I have also pioneered the use of the remote controlled ARCboat for reservoir bathymetry back in 2012, and dam safety monitoring app’s for mobile devices in 2013.

Craig in action

Here's Craig helping to showcase the Smart Manuals developed with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

In his role as the Supervising Panel Engineer for this reservoir, in 2015 Craig was asked by dam owners Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to provide advice and supervise a stunt that saw Richard Hammond drive a Land Rover up the face of the dam. "I never thought I’d get to combine my two real passions: dam engineering and cars! I’m a real petrol head and a big Top Gear fan, so I was delighted when Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water asked me to help out."

Craig was part of the team to collect the Collaborative Working Award for the Smart Manual project we delivered with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

What do you enjoy about your work? I enjoy being able to build long term relationships with our clients. That's what enables me to fully understand their problems and help deliver appropriate solutions. I also enjoy the freedom and support that HR Wallingford offers to explore exciting new technologies relevant to dams and reservoirs.

Describe your day to day. There is no such thing as a typical day. I might be out on the road inspecting my dams, directing project teams in developing engineering designs or creating software tools. Some days it’s into the office for team and R&D meetings exploring how we can shape the future, other days I’m on reservoir construction sites supervising construction works of new dams or spillways. There is quite a variety!

Which projects that you have worked on are you most excited by? DAMSAT, which is a project we developed with funding from the UK Space Agency and a number of partners. It uses satellite technology to bring together data about the current state of water and tailings dams, so owners and regulators can see from one simple dashboard if there is a problem that needs attention. It is an extremely powerful tool which has the potential to save thousands of lives. Another project I’ve really enjoyed, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, was the work we did at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire. We’ve reinstated a network of cascading lakes on a hillside beneath a huge glasshouse. I was there in January 2021 with my drone and it’s brilliant to see how it’s looking now. The project has been shortlisted for an award by the ICE.

What are you working on currently? The design and construction supervision of some new spillways for reservoirs in England and Wales, the promotion of DAMSAT, and a new research project into how hydropower operators can contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

What is the best thing about working at HR Wallingford? The atmosphere is friendly, respectful and open. We’re small enough that everyone knows each other, and large enough to encompass many different skillsets. I love the diversity - we have around 40 different nationalities.

Do you have any advice to people who may want to pursue a career in STEM? Never stop asking how does that work? Curiosity drives innovation and ingenuity.

What do you enjoy outside of work? I love cars, old and new. My favourite model would have to be an Aston Martin 1960 DB4 GT Zagato. Aston Martin only made about 20 at the time. To buy an original now will set you back £10m.