In the Delta, for the Delta, from the Delta.
OUR
STORY
Get to Know Us
Tule Engineering, Inc. was founded in 2026 to support public agencies, reclamation districts, and private landowners throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Founded by a Delta-native engineer with more than 15 years of experience working on flood control, levee infrastructure, permitting, and regulatory coordination, the firm was established to provide specialized engineering services tailored to the unique needs of the Delta.
Mission
To protect and strengthen Delta communities through responsive engineering, trusted partnerships, and practical infrastructure solutions.
Our Difference
Direct access to agency and legislative contact, early awareness of funding and regulatory changes, and a voice in regional planning decisions that affect your infrastructure and future.
Founder
Meet Emily Pappalardo
Emily Pappalardo is a licensed civil engineer specializing in the issues unique to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Raised on Steamboat Slough near Courtland, California, Emily developed an early appreciation for the Delta’s communities, and waterways. This continues to shape how she approaches her professional practice in the Delta...
Emily began her career with DCC Engineering in 2005 while attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, working during summer breaks before joining the firm full time after graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Architecture. During her final years at Cal Poly, she found herself drawn to the issues surrounding the Delta, and came to believe that protecting its flood control system was the most direct way to serve the communities that depend on it. She went on to UC Davis for her Master of Engineering in Water Resources, drawn by the school's proximity to the Delta and its deep engagement with California water issues. She later spent just over five years with MBK Engineers continuing to support the Delta region, and returned to DCC in spring 2023 as a Principal Engineer.
In 2026, Emily launched Tule Engineering, a firm focused on supporting Delta communities and reclamation districts through practical, locally informed engineering solutions. Her professional experience includes managing levee rehabilitation and maintenance projects for reclamation districts throughout the Delta. She has led and supported projects from preliminary design through final design, regulatory coordination, quality control, contract administration, and construction support. Emily also assists clients with permitting and coordination among state, federal, and local agencies.
With a lifelong connection to the Delta, Emily brings both technical expertise and a local perspective to her work. She has remained actively involved in community organizations, including the Courtland Pear Fair and the Walnut Grove Rotary Club, where she has participated since 2009.
