Please check back often for project updates as they become available.

If you would like any additional information pertaining to the project, please feel free to contact us through our Facebook page or email nowood [at] acewater.com.

The Steering Committee, which represents the local community, consists of the following individuals.

• Ed Cooper
• Nancy Joyce
• Martin Mercer
• Terril Mills
• Cecil Mullins
• April Nelson
• Terri O’Donnell
• Shane Starbuck

Nowood Complete Executive Summary
Nowood Final Report Study

Appendices:
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX A
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX B
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX C
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX D
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX E
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX F
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX G
Nowood Final Report APPENDIX H

The purpose of the project was to complete a detailed watershed inventory of existing resources, needs and opportunities.

The project study area is shown by clicking on the thumbnail below.

The primary purpose of this study was to define various flood hazards for Boulder Creek over a 7-mile reach through the City of Boulder and a portion of unincorporated Boulder County, including nearly 6 miles of 25 distributary flow paths along adjacent drainage corridors and city streets. Also, the 100-year floodplain was defined for a 1.7-mile reach of Boulder Slough along its entire length between Boulder Creek and Goose Creek within the City of Boulder. This project included the following specific tasks:

1. field reconnaissance efforts to identify potential surveying requirements, characterize channel and overbank conditions and roughness coefficients, and to visually evaluate 30 bridges along Boulder Creek and distributary flow paths, and 23 bridges/culverts along Boulder Slough, including several irrigation diversion structures and other hydraulic structures;
2. field surveying of 30 bridges along Boulder Creek and distributary flow paths, and 23 bridges/culverts along Boulder Slough, including several irrigation diversion structures, numerous other hydraulic structures and channel cross sections, the 1,800-foot long pipe system along Boulder Slough, and topographic surveys of numerous sites throughout the Boulder Creek and Boulder Slough floodplains;
3. hydrologic evaluation and modeling for the Boulder Creek watershed to review the original U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Storm Water Management Models (SWMM) and supporting documentation, along with utilizing the various USACE SWMM models to recreate the 100-year hydrologic model on which the effective Boulder Creek hydraulic model is based;
4. development of six hydraulic (HEC-RAS) models for Boulder Creek and one HEC-RAS model for Boulder Slough through the use of HEC-GeoRAS in conjunction with a LIDAR-based TIN supplemented with large volumes of field survey data;
5. hydraulic modeling for Boulder Creek included the 10-, 25-, 50-, 100- and 500-year events, the City-defined conveyance zone (½-foot rise floodway), and high hazard zone (Product 4 Corridor) , utilizing numerous junctions and lateral weirs to define 18 distributary flow paths for a total modeling reach length of 12.4 miles;
6. flood hazard mapping along Boulder Creek of the 10-, 25-, 50-, 100- and 500-year floodplains, the conveyance zone and high hazard zone, mapping of the 100-year floodplain along Boulder Slough, and the preparation of the digital flood hazard work maps using HEC-GeoRAS, and ACE’s automated mapping tools;
7. two-dimensional modeling (using FLO-2D) of a 3-mile reach of Boulder Creek and the adjacent floodplain through downtown Boulder to verify the results of the one-dimension analyses;
8. development of the graphical flood profiles, tables, and text providing detailed documentation of the study for incorporation into the Boulder County Flood Insurance Study (FIS) ;
9. development of an ActionScript-based computer program/tool for defining the High Hazard Zone for the City of Boulder, including an instructional video and detailed user information;
10. preparation of floodplain and floodway information in DFIRM format for inclusion in the Boulder County DFIRM, as well as the preparation of reports, information, documentation, and the GIS database required for the Technical Support Data Notebook (TSDN) ; and
11. supporting the City of Boulder through the public education and review process.

All work completed for this study was conducted in accordance with the requirements identified in the Map Modernization Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners [FEMA, April 2003].

The Sweetwater River watershed is located on the northern slope of the Bridger Mountains in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, covering approximately 2,900 square miles. In support of local efforts to identify potential conflicts and solutions to water related issues, Anderson Consulting Engineers, Inc. was contracted by the Wyoming Water Development Commission to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the watershed and its water resources. The purpose of the study was to identify water supply needs and to develop a watershed management plan that identifies problem areas within the watershed and to provide practical economic solutions.

The watershed study is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation of existing conditions. Specific tasks included in this effort are listed below.

• Facilitate consensus building among the Advisory Committee, the Conservation District, landowners and the Wyoming Water Development Commission.
• Facilitate public participation.
• Conduct an evaluation and description of the Sweetwater River watershed, including quantity and quality of surface water resources, and riparian/upland conditions.
• Conduct a geomorphic investigation of the primary channels within the watershed and identify potential mitigation measures to improve impaired channel reaches.
• Conduct an irrigation system inventory and develop a rehabilitation plan for those ditches expressing an interest to participate.
• Conduct an evaluation of water storage needs and opportunities to augment water available for livestock and wildlife.
• Develop a watershed management plan which identifies problem areas within the watershed and proposes practical economic solutions.
• Identify permits easements and clearances necessary for plan implementation.
• Develop cost estimates for improvements.
• Complete an economic Analysis and evaluate alternative sources of funding.

All of the information collected during this study is being incorporated into a comprehensive GIS developed using ArcGIS software. In addition to traditional coverage generated using the spatial data, ACE has developed innovative customized tools to facilitate data queries, data review and editing, and map generation. In addition, our Digital Library enables the user to incorporate information from virtually any other electronic media into a comprehensive ‘clearinghouse’ of information.

The Canal Importation Basin is located in west-central Fort Collins, Colorado, and encompasses approximately 3,200 acres of nearly fully-developed land. In 2001 a Master Drainage Plan was completed by Anderson Consulting Engineers, Inc. (ACE), which identified over $50 million for regional drainage related improvements within the basin. The Canal Importation Ponds and Outfall (CIPO) Project addresses two of the thirteen drainage improvement projects identified in the Master Drainage Plan, with an estimated construction cost of $21 million.

Installation of the 8'W x 4'H RCBC siphon under the Larimer County Canal No. 2

Finished headwall and wingwalls for the 8′W x 4′H RCBC siphon.

The purpose of the CIPO Project was to develop an outfall for the Canal Importation Basin, that would collect, detain, and convey storm water runoff generated within the basin, and discharge to Spring Creek. This project consisted of the following:

1. Hydrologic modeling of the tributary drainage basin to define design discharges;
2. Formulation and hydraulic design of all listed drainage improvements;
3. Final design of three regional detention ponds, providing nearly 140 acre-feet of active storm water detention capacity;
4. Final design of over 2 miles of subsurface drains;
5. Final design of a 700 foot long, 12-inch diameter water line;
6. Final design of approximately 750 feet of 8-inch diameter PVC sanitary sewer lines;
7. Final design of a nearly 900 foot, 16-inch diameter PVC sanitary sewer line;
8. Final design of a 112 foot, 8′W x 4′H RCBC siphon under an irrigation ditch;
9. Final design of a 175 foot, 48-inch RCP siphon under a major roadway arterial;
10. Final design of a 745 foot storm sewer consisting of 42-inch RCP, 36-inch RCP, and 33-inch RCP;
11. Final design of a 415 foot storm sewer consisting of 7′W x 3′H RCBC, 48-inch RCP and 42-inch RCP;
12. Final design of a 550 foot storm sewer consisting of 42-inch equivalent HERCP, 42-inch RCP and 12-inch PVC;
13. Final design of a 56-foot storm sewer consisting of 30-inch RCP;
14. Final design of a 20-foot storm sewer consisting of a 48-inch RCP;
15. Final design of several smaller drainage improvements (spillways, cutoff walls, swales, water quality outlet structures, etc.);
16. Final design of erosion control measures (riprap and turf reinforcement mat);
17. Preparation and coordination of a 91 sheet set of final design drawings, technical specifications, and contract documents;
18. Preparation of an Individual 404 Permit for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
19. Preparation of a well permit for the State Engineers Office;
20. Preparation of a Floodplain Use Permit for the City of Fort Collins;
21. Assisted in preparation of the Storm Water Management Plan;
22. Preparation of as-built drawings (currently ongoing);
23. Construction management services during the approximately 3-year construction time period (currently ongoing); and
24. Preparation of a design report documenting post-project condition results and residual floodplain information.

Installation of a storm sewer junction box

Excavation of the Red Fox Detention Pond

The Wheatland Irrigation District (WID) spans three counties in southern Wyoming: Carbon, Albany, and Platte. Its history spans Wyoming statehood and its accomplishments represent several ‘firsts’ for the State. Initial surveys of the Wheatland Flats began in 1881 followed by the incorporation of the Wyoming Development Company in 1883: the first actual irrigation corporation within the Territory of Wyoming. Today, the WID infrastructure includes eleven reservoirs with total storage rights of approximately 180,000 acre feet and water rights on 10 streams. The primary conveyance facilities consist of approximately 120 miles of the canal, two tunnels, and all appurtenant structures. Approximately 54,100 acres are presently served by the WID.

The WID faces several operational and maintenance issues including age and deterioration of infrastructure, operational issues associated with the remote nature of the WID’s water resources and timing delays associated with conveyance, canal and lateral seepage, management and operation of several storage reservoirs, and encroachment by development associated with the City of Wheatland.

The objective of the project was to prepare a plan that identified practical and economic improvements including rehabilitation of existing structures; automation of structures and measurement devices; canal/lateral lining, and canal/lateral reconfiguration to promote greater storage potential, reduce liabilities, and improve system efficiencies. Included in the plan were conceptual level costs estimates to support a legislative request for Level III construction funding.

Specific tasks incorporated in the project included:

1. Completion of a system-wide inventory of the structures along all of the WID canals, laterals, and storage facilities and identification of potential rehabilitation needs.
2. Development of a database/GIS mapping that facilitated the planning process, documented the inventory of structures, and provided valuable data to the WID to promote operation and management of water deliveries as well as implementation of planned improvements. The WID GIS incorporates ACE’s Irrigation Geodatabase Tool (IGT) which enables the novice user to navigate, to utilize the extensive databases, and to generate maps


Failure of the WID Cannon Canal



Recently Installed RubiconGate

 

3. Preparation of a prioritized rehabilitation plan that identifies practical and economic improvements including installation of pressurized pipe systems, construction of regulation storage reservoirs, canal/lateral lining, rehabilitation of existing structures, automation of structures and measurement devices, and as appropriate, implementation of on-farm improvements.
4. Evaluation of WID finances and development of a financial planning model the WID can use to evaluate various project implementation scenarios.
5. Evaluation of alternative sources to fund the proposed rehabilitation plan.
6. Preparation of conceptual level designs and cost estimates that support a legislative request for Level II investigation funding or Level III construction funding.

These on-going projects are being conducted by ACE for the CWCB as part of FEMA’s nationwide Map Modernization program, now called RiskMAP. The purpose of these projects is to convert the effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for various counties in Colorado to a digital format for the general use of all FEMA stakeholders.

The counties included in this work are:

• Pueblo County – 104 Panels
• Montezuma County – 54 Panels
• Teller County – 37 Panels
• Archuleta County – 39 Panels
• La Plata County – 43 Panels
• El Paso County – 155 Panels
• Elbert County – 51 Panels
• Rio Grande County – 51 Panels
• Morgan County – 39 Panels

These projects include the following tasks:

1. partnering with FEMA, CWCB, and various local communities through meetings and outreach;
2. performing field reconnaissance, field surveying and preparing topographic data for use in studies;
3. conducting hydrologic analyses using HEC-HMS, HEC-GeoHMS, Peakfq, and CWCB and USGS Regressions Equations for several drainages basins throughout the State;
4. conducting detailed hydraulic analyses using HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRAS and preparing floodplain/floodway mapping for over 70 miles of stream;
5. conducting approximate level hydraulic analyses using HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRAS for over 950 miles of streams;
6. automated floodplain mapping and redelineation using ArcView® GIS along approximately 3,000 miles of stream statewide;
7. performing 2-dimensional hydraulic analyses and floodplain mapping using FLO-2D of the without-levee floodplains for 4 levees and a floodwall in Pueblo and El Paso counties;


DFIRM Panel Layout and Stream Network, Pueblo County, CO

8. assisting the City of Pueblo, the Arkansas River Conservancy District, and the City of Colorado Springs in the levee accreditation (PAL) process;
9. performing geotechnical, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses to certify the Templeton Gap Levee in Colorado Springs;
10. combining all existing and revised digital data into a GIS-based DFIRM database;
11. preparing the Flood Insurance Studies (FISs) for countywide studies including floodway data tables and flood profiles;
12. coordinating closely with the CWCB and FEMA and the communities during the post-preliminary processing and outreach and coordination phases of the projects;
13. preparing final documents during the public comment and appeals processes;
14. the preparation of reports, information and documentation required for the Technical Support Data Notebook (TSDN) for all hydrologic and hydraulic analyses; and
15. closely tracking and controlling task costs through the life of each Countywide DFIRM project.

All work completed for these projects is being conducted in accordance with the requirements identified in the Map Modernization Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners.

Turkey Creek Floodplain Work Map, Pueblo County, CO