Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Waste Engineering, Inc.

February 2021

Sally Kribs, Editor The Salvation Army Wastewater Treatment Facility [email protected] The Salvation Army High Wright Water Engineers, Inc. www.wrightwater.com Peak Camp Wastewater 2490 West 26th Ave., Ste. 100 A Treatment Facility project is , CO 80211 303.480.1700 underway. Ongoing winter construction includes Glenwood Springs Office 818 Ave. pouring concrete for Glenwood Springs, CO 81602 foundations and sequencing 970.945.7755 batch reactor basins. Durango Office 1666 N. Main St., Ste. C Durango, CO 81301 Wayne Lorenz and Jeff 970.259.7411 Nelson have been handling Waste Engineering, Inc. the design of this project. www.wasteengineeringinc.com Kris Schaffer and Eric 2490 West 26th Ave., Ste. 100 A Denver, CO 80211 Bodine have been helping the 303.433.2788 contractor, Velocity Constructors, work through Sunrise at the High Peak Camp work site in Larimer County. some of the details and Photograph: Kristen Schaffer conducting observation of aspects of construction. Inside this issue: WWE looks forward to summer when sequencing batch reactor, cloth media the wastewater treatment systems will filter, and UV disinfection system. Upper Basin Colorado 2 be installed. Processes will include a River Drought Contingency Plan Mile High Flood District 3 Mount Werner Final Decree for New Intake Gallery Gage Analysis Report WWE was pleased to assist Frank WWE has a long history with the Return to Palisade Water 3 Treatment Plant Alfone of the Mount Werner Water and District. Ken Wright handled the Sanitation District to obtain a water creation of the District back in 1965 and 60th Anniversary 4 court-decreed plan for augmentation for provided master plan and water rights Recollections—Harvard its Yampa Meadows Infiltration engineering for the District’s water Gulch Gallery. supply. Middle 5 Integrated Watershed Project manager Jonathan Kelly worked The new infiltration gallery will provide Management Plan closely throughout the process with an important supply that is less Sterling Hills Pond 5 attorney Jeff Houpt of Beattie, Houpt & vulnerable to wildfire impacts. Former Rehabilitation Jarvis and District Manager Mr. Alfone District Manager Jon Fetcher and Ken Construction to secure the decree prior to the facility Wright performed aquifer testing in the NISP 401 Certification 6 coming online in the fall of 2021. alluvium for the new Will Not be Appealed gallery back in the 1980s. Page 2

Upper Basin Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan The Bureau of designated as a critical threshold in the Reclamation (USBR) quarterly report in agreement to preserve the ability to January was grim, showing Lake Powell produce hydropower at Glen Canyon and Lake Mead at 42 and 40% of Dam. capacity. These bleak forecasts for the Colorado River have triggered the 2019 The USBR informed Colorado and the Upper Basin Drought Contingency Plan other three Upper Basin states about the for the first time. threshold. The water managers need to consider all possible scenarios and plan The 24-month USBR study showed accordingly. Lake Powell potentially dipping below an elevation of 3,525 feet above sea level in 2022. That elevation was The Colorado River near Granby. If federal models show Lake Powell’s elevation declining below the 3,525-foot threshold WWE Urban Stormwater Detention Facilities Webinar under the “most probable” forecast, smaller reservoirs upstream in the four WWE’s Jon Jones, Chris Olson, and It focused on the commonalities among Upper Basin states could be required to Katie Knight, with the help of Beth detention facilities, traditional and release water to increase the water levels Knudsen, presented a 90-minute alternative design criteria, how to in Lake Powell. webinar entitled “Fundamentals of evaluate effectiveness, water quality Photograph: Kristen Schaffer Urban Stormwater Detention Facilities” benefits, safety, permitting, potential in January. liability concerns, and the costs of maintenance and monitoring. The online presentation, via Lorman Education Services, was given to engineers around the United States. Final ASCE Stormwater Modeling Webinar Dr. Andrew Earles is pleased to report practices. Andrew provided the final that WWE has completed a webinar webinar in the series on January 27 series for the American Society of Civil related to continuous simulation Engineers (ASCE) related to modeling modeling using SWMM. low impact development and green stormwater infrastructure practices Andrew and his co-presenters sincerely using the United States Environmental thank Barbara Chongtoua of the Mile No, the photograph is not upside Protection Agency’s Stormwater High Flood District for supporting this down! Liam Foster, son of WWE's Pete Management Model (SWMM). webinar series, and WWE would also Foster, is shown above during the lead like to thank the ASCE and their competition at the Ouray Ice Fest in WWE worked with Muller Engineering webinar production staff for all of their 2021. Both of Pete’s sons, Liam and Nate, and the Mile High Flood District to assistance with these webinars. competed in the festival. Liam took first create a three-webinar series related to place in the speed competition and fifth in this topic. Dr. Chris Olson of WWE Although the live webinars have already the lead competition. Pete Foster enjoys working for the City of Ouray, a client of presented the first webinar related to been conducted, these webinars are WWE’s since 2005. Pete is looking forward fundamentals of SWMM. This was available in ASCE’s resource library for to working with the new City followed by a webinar by Jim engineers and scientists who may be Administrator Silas Clarke, Public Works Wulliman, P.E., and Katy Shaneyfelt, interested in continuing education. Director Joe Coleman, and City Attorney P.E., of Muller Engineering on event- Carol Viner. based modeling of green stormwater Page 3

Mile High Flood District Gage Analysis Report WWE’s Andrew Earles and Haley associated with large events, such as the Rogers were pleased to work with the 100-year flood. These results will Mile High Flood District (MHFD) on a provide the District with hydrology flow frequency analysis for three information that can be used for watersheds in the Denver Metro area: modeling and flood planning in the Van Bibber Creek, Lena Gulch, and future. Little Dry Creek. The Van Bibber Creek channel just Andrew and Haley thank Kevin downstream of the Highway 93 gage and The work included statistical analyses Stewart, P.E., of MHFD for the road crossing. of the historical flow record at nine opportunity to perform this work. Photograph: Haley Rogers gages in order to compute flows Keyes Leads Colorado Stormwater Council Courses Jennifer Keyes will teach two courses and non-standard MS4 personnel, for the Colorado Stormwater Council focusing on compliance with (CSC) Construction Committee in construction site programs. The CIP MS4 Inspector Course: February. One is an online MS4 Inspector training is intended for https:// Construction Inspector Course on contractors and municipal staff, www.eventbrite.com/e/ms4 February 10 (all day). The other class is focusing on stormwater management -inspector-training-online- an online Capital Improvement Planning compliance for CIP projects. tickets-137449935457 (CIP) Stormwater Compliance course on February 23 (morning only). Jennifer has enjoyed working with CIP Inspector Course: Ashley Tucker and the CSC on these https:// The MS4 Inspector training was two training programs. Registration www.eventbrite.com/e/ designed specifically for city, county, links are provided on the right. capital-improvement- project-stormwater- compliance-training- Lennar Orchard Farms online-tickets- 137450282495 The Orchard Farms project is a new Revision for the nearly completed housing development that has been project. constructed next to Big Dry Creek in Thornton, Colorado. Karl Kingery and Andrew Earles of WWE are working closely with Thomas WWE is pleased to be assisting Lennar Cyr and Boyd May of Lennar Homes Homes to prepare a Letter of Map and Daniel Rodriguez of Atwell, the civil engineer for the site. Return to Palisade Water Treatment Plant In late January, Wayne Lorenz and facility also has an onsite chlorine Jamie Akens enjoyed a visit to the generator due to the precarious road Palisade Water Treatment Plant (WTP), leading up to the plant that would make a plant that WWE designed in liquid chlorine deliveries difficult. 2006–2007. Wayne was very pleased to receive an This plant has a two-million-gallon-per outstanding report from the operator, Wayne Lorenz and Jamie Akens checked up day capacity and utilizes a PALL who has been operating this plant since on this WTP that WWE designed 14 years microfiltration membrane system. The the ribbon cutting ceremony in 2007. ago. Page 4

Collaboration with Dr. Robert Houghtalen, P.E. We are delighted to once again be outstanding. Robert later spent an collaborating with Robert Houghtalen, extended time in Africa, with his wife, P.E., on various projects. Many of our Judy, conducting missionary work. He readers will know Robert Houghtalen’s is now back in the United States at the name because his reference books on University of North Carolina – hydrology and hydraulics are widely Wilmington. used by undergraduate engineering students around the United States. Robert recently helped us on an assignment in which we compared Robert has long been a dear colleague. various unit hydrograph methods and he He took a one-year sabbatical to work is actively working with WWE on our with WWE in the 1990s, and his national low-head dam outreach efforts. assistance to us during that year was th Professor Robert Houghtalen, P.E. 60 Anniversary Recollections—Harvard Gulch To commemorate WWE’s 60th year in Sherman Street the gulch spilled out business, we are looking back on some onto Evans Avenue to flow west to the of our landmark projects like Harvard South Platte River. Gulch. WWE’s design began with using a unit One of Denver Mayor Tom Currigan’s hydrograph technique to determine the most challenging problems in 1965 was design flood flow. This technique later the regular flooding of South Broadway became the Colorado Urban at Evans Avenue. EMW Carpets and Hydrograph Procedure (CUHP). The Furniture Store, operated by Elizabeth design also included a side-channel Wagenblast, convinced Mayor Currigan detention pond in Harvard Park and an to tackle the problem. After his outfall that goes all the way to the South successful tax election, Mayor Platte River. Mayor Tom Currigan dedicated the Harvard Currigan called in Ken Wright to design Gulch Flood Control Project as Elizabeth a cure to the floodplain problem of The Harvard Gulch Flood Control Wagenblast and Ken Wright looked on. Harvard Gulch for up to $2,300,000. Project was designed and constructed under budget and on schedule. In 1967, The southeast Denver Harvard Gulch the mayor dedicated the project with a begins east of Colorado marching band and speeches just before Boulevard and Evans Avenue, but at his second mayoral election. Pompeii Water Supply Article in National Magazine Wayne Lorenz wrote a new article on communities in the Naples Bay area of Pompeii water supply that was Italy. published in Water Environment & Technology this month. This grand public works project provided water to a large geographical The water system that provided potable area and, in doing so, crossed the water to Pompeii was a major transbasin boundaries of several natural A Pompeii fountain and water tower are diversion project that was constructed watersheds in the Naples Bay area. The shown in the foreground with Mt. Vesuvius about 2,000 years ago. The water was water supply project was one of the in the background. Please contact Jamie Akens at WWE if you would like him to transported from prolific springs located longest transbasin diversion projects in email to you a link to the article. in the Sabato River watershed through a the empire, and it was one of the most Photograph: WE&T tunnel to Pompeii and other Roman expensive. Page 5

Middle Colorado River Integrated Watershed Management Plan WWE was pleased to support the environment-based and recreation-based Middle Colorado Watershed Council tourism that supports many other facets (MCWC) in developing the Middle of West Slope living. Colorado River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP). The IWMP WWE’s Scott Schreiber and Jonathan was a successful project that aligned the Kelly supported the project by goals and needs of both the providing background information on environmental and recreational the major water rights aspects communities with those of agricultural associated with keeping water on the groups, industries, and municipalities. It West Slope. Scott enjoyed many is the first stream management plan of meetings with numerous agricultural its type in which the two diverse groups groups to find beneficial solutions, came together to develop one uniquely many of which have dovetailed into A final presentation of the IWMP will occur successful plan. other activities outside the IWMP. in February or March. The IWMP sought to balance West The project was led by project manager Slope water needs by understanding Laurie Rink for the Middle Colorado high-priority water rights associated IWMP Advisory Committee. Seth with energy generation and agricultural Mason of Lotic Hydrological led the producers. These water uses keep water design team. on the West Slope and allow for Ken Wright to Provide Machu Picchu Lecture to Houston ASCE A colleague of WWE’s Jane Clary, Ken’s research on the water systems of Michael Bloom, P.E., reached out to Machu Picchu has shown that water Ken Wright to give a virtual system designed by the ancient Inca presentation on Machu Picchu in relied on gravity flow and innovative February. Ken will provide the lecture designs. to Houston’s branch of the ASCE. Sterling Hills Pond Rehabilitation Construction The Sterling Hills West Water Quality landscaping concepts were well and Detention Pond Rehabilitation received when Steam presented them to project has been under construction for the Sterling Hills West Metro District one month and is anticipated to be board during their January meeting. completed in April of this year. WWE staff Lily Montesano and Kristen Maggie Lewis described the design at Schaffer have been instrumental in the virtual CASFM Fall 2020 providing on-the-ground support to the conference along with Emily Villines project engineers. and Jessica Kordziel of Calibrie Engineering. The theme of the This pond was originally constructed in presentation was case studies the early 2000s and is being retrofitted highlighting “Unique Solutions to This pond is being retrofitted to include to include important new detention pond Stormwater Challenges.” WWE thanks important detention pond design features design features. Ted Laves, the manager of the District, such as sediment forebays and a and Juliet Uhlott, the president of the micropool. Designs will also address WWE has partnered with Chris Loftus Board, for the opportunity to work on ongoing groundwater-related issues. from Stream Landscape Architects to this project. Photographs: Lily Montesano and Maggie provide a landscaping plan. The Lewis Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Wright WaterWaste Engineering, Engineers, Inc. Inc. February 2021 Drought Update Waste Engineering, Inc. Drought conditions have continued to Main Office: worsen across the state over the past few 2490 MainWest 26thOffice: Avenue months. Moisture levels are the worst 2490 WestSuite 26th 100A Avenue they have been in almost 20 years across Denver,Suite CO 100A 80211 Denver, CO 80211 the Colorado River watershed. The State of Colorado has activated the municipal Phone: 303.480.1700 Fax: 303.480.1020 portion of its emergency drought plan for E-mail: [email protected] the second time in history.

Please let us know if you prefer Across the state, Colorado water users to receive “Currents” via email The January 26, 2021 Drought Monitor shows parts have started implementing water of Colorado ranging from lightest (moderate restrictions ahead of this dry summer. drought) to darkest (exceptional drought). Water restrictions will begin for many Source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ consumers starting April 1 of this year. This is in response to the 2002 drought, in which water restrictions were implemented beginning in May. By activating water restrictions earlier, utilities hope to conserve water ahead of this potentially tragic year.

Surface water. Groundwater. Wright Water. Low-head Dam Safety Awareness Month

www.wrightwater.com WWE is pleased to support a universities, industry colleagues, and www.wasteengineeringinc.com proclamation written by the American several NGOs focused on safety and

Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) stream restoration. Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) task force, which If your organization is interested in would declare April as National Low- supporting this proclamation, please head Dam Public Safety Awareness reach out to Beth Knudsen, low-head Month. Currents readers know that dam liaison at WWE for more WWE has been involved in public information. safety advocacy for many years and this is an exciting step in raising national In another facet of WWE’s effort to help awareness. raise awareness about low-head dams, we contributed to an ASCE article on Other organizations joining WWE in low-head dams published last month. supporting the proclamation will include

Northern Water NISP 401 Certification Will Not be Appealed Andrew Earles helped develop the 401 project on the water quality of the Certification for the Northern Integrated Poudre River. Andrew and Chris Supply Project (NISP) working with the assisted with issues related to Colorado Water Quality Control temperature, nutrients, and E. coli, and Division. The Certification was upheld as a part of the appeal, Andrew by the Water Quality Control developed written testimony related to Commission in the fall of 2020, and it how climate change was considered as a appears that this decision will not be part of the 401 Certification. appealed by Save the Poudre. Andrew enjoyed working with the staff Andrew and others at WWE, including at the Water Quality Control Division Chris Olson, assisted the Water Quality on this assignment and was glad to see Control Division with reviewing that Save the Poudre chose not to appeal extensive modeling and analysis the Commission’s decision. Instead, Last month, Ruth and Ken Wright enjoyed a virtual reunion with their prepared by Northern Water and their Save the Poudre is currently seeking to Aramco colleagues of more than 60 years. consultant, Hydros. WWE worked with overturn the 1041 Permit decision by Ken and Ruth both worked for the Water Quality Control Division to Larimer County. Aramco in Saudi Arabia in the 1950s. Jamie develop a 401 Certification for the Akens provided tech support. project based on the effects of the