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River Fork Ranch Trails Master Plan – The Nature Conservancy

February 7, 2012 By

Located on the historic 800-acre River Fork Ranch near Genoa Nevada, the River Fork Ranch project, lead by The Nature Conservancy, included the planning and design of a five-phase trail system with the goal of providing educational and active opportunities for the general public while maintaining minimal disruption to the sustainable agriculture, and restored native wetlands, floodplain, water ways, and habitats The Nature Conservancy practices on the site.

R.O. Anderson was engaged to prepare a master plan for the trail system, as well as the design documents necessary for construction, permitting, and construction bid process. Due to funding restrictions, only Phase 1 of construction has moved forward at this time. R.O. Anderson prepared the topographical survey for design for the project. The project’s features includes an extensive trail system to provide access to a variety of natural points of interest provided by the site, including public access to the Carson River, an ADA compliant outdoor interpretive addition to the existing Whit Hall Interpretive Center, featuring a path, signage, planting areas, and boardwalks, and providing key connection points to several future off site trailhead locations all while working to minimize the project footprint thorough the use of existing, recycled, and natural materials.

Filed Under: Landscape Architecture Tagged With: , ,

Pine to Park Path: City of Bishop, CA

February 7, 2012 By

CEQA/NEPA Compliance with TE Grant Funding: The City of Bishop is a small, incorporated town located within the Owens Valley portion of Inyo County. In 2009, R.O. Anderson was selected to assist the City in preparing environmental and final design documents for a 1,000 foot long multi-modal trail connecting the City’s park to an adjacent neighborhood. Since Federal Transportation Enhancement funds were being utilized (Caltrans is the pass-through agency for the grant), it was necessary to prepare documentation to satisfy both CEQA and NEPA. R.O. Anderson served as the overall project manager. Working with environmental sub consultants to perform the required special studies and environmental documents, R.O Anderson, JBR Environmental and RMT, Inc. prepared the CEQA Initial Study in compliance with CEQA and a Categorical Exclusion with Studies for the purpose of NEPA compliance. The preparation of the Initial Study included consultation with responsible agencies, assessment of potential impacts to biological and cultural resources, field verification of potential impacts regarding wetlands and sensitive plant species and development of proposed mitigation and monitoring program for the project. Special studies conducted as a result of NEPA included a Visual Impact Assessment and Land Use and Community Impact Assessment Memorandum. R.O. Anderson conducted a public information campaign, conducted a public workshop regarding the proposed trail, collected comments received at the workshop and assisted in preparing the final Initial Study, the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration and the Notice of Determination regarding the project.

Filed Under: Planning Tagged With: , ,

Martin Slough Flood Hydraulics Study

February 7, 2012 By

The number of proposed projects along Martin Slough and post-FIRM changes to the Martin Slough floodplain were such that Douglas County, Nevada engineers determined that updated maps of the regulatory floodplain for Martin Slough were necessary. Martin Slough is a distributary of East Fork Carson River and receives flows from East Fork Carson River (through Cottonwood Slough) and from shallow Pine Nut Creek flows during extreme hydrologic events. The critical event is considered to be a cloudburst hydrologic event in the Pine Nut Mountains over the Pine Nut Creek watershed. Flows leave the mountains and are distributed over the valley floor as sheet flow or shallow overland flow and enter Martin Slough near the upstream end of the drainageway just north from Toler Avenue.

The original mapping was done for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by a contractor, probably the Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The modeling was completed using the USACE HEC-2 steady-state, gradually-varied, water-surface profile model using cross sections collected by field surveying. Effective model cross sections were separated by distances of about 4,000–5,000 feet, too far apart for detailed hydraulic modeling. The topographic mapping used to delineate the floodplain was constructed using aerial topographic methods with a contour interval of five feet, greater than the current two-foot standard. A number of floodplain features were absent from the effective model. Subsequent to floodplain mapping adoption, a number of changes were effected to the floodplain, including addition of crossings (Gilman Avenue, Lucerne Street, Monte Vista Drive), modification of two crossings (U.S. 395 and Buckeye Road), and numerous developments adjacent to the drainageway.

Existing conditions were such that a significant fraction of the base flood discharge is diverted by U.S. 395 north along the east side of the highway. This represents a substantial difference from the formulation of the original modeling. R.O. Anderson was contracted to develop an existing conditions model and prepare a Letter of Map Revision for the study reach. The project was amended to include an approximate analysis of the reach downstream from U.S. 395 to East Fork Carson River.

LiDAR topography supplemented with field surveys was used to develop a suite of models of Martin Slough. The suite of models included an existing conditions model (as well as a duplicate effective model) using more than 80 cross sections for the analysis. The project culminated with reports and applications for a Letter of Map Revision.

 

 

Filed Under: Hydrology/Hydraulics Tagged With: , ,

Technical Review of Flood Insurance Study

February 7, 2012 By

The provisional flood insurance study (FIS) and associated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) were received by Douglas County, Nevada in April 2008. Proposed changes to significant portions of the regulatory floodplain resulted in concern among many private citizens. As a result, R.O. Anderson was retained to perform a technical review of the methods used to revise the FIS and the FIRMs. As a part of the FEMA review, five watersheds along the eastern side of Carson Valley were restudied. The hydrology developed for those watersheds included a set of HEC-HMS models “calibrated” using regional regression equations. The datasets that comprise the foundation for development of these regression equations included little data from watersheds in the Pine Nut Mountains, where the five eastern Carson Valley watersheds originate. In addition, the standard error of estimate was approximately 100 percent. The standard error of estimate for regional regression equations is usually between 30 and 40 percent. As a result, the conclusions of the provisional FIS hydrologic analysis were challenged because the models were calibrated with regression equations that had substantial uncertainty and were based on data not taken in the vicinity affected by the outcome of the hydrologic analysis.

A complex two-dimensional hydrodynamic model was used by the FEMA contractor to analyze shallow flows over the valley floor. The model was uncalibrated and no convergence test was performed. The conclusions of the hydraulic modeling were challenged on the basis of a lack of understanding of the application of the numerical method in the context of a complex hydraulic system. The lack of convergence testing and not including hydraulic structures (such as culverts) was an omission that would result in significant differences to the floodplain delineation. Conservation of mass in the model application was not achieved.

The floodplain boundary adjustments reflected in the provisional FIRMs were substantial. A review of the floodplain boundaries determined that the AE zone boundaries did not comply with FEMA 38 floodplain boundary accuracy standards for three panels of the provisional FIRMs that were available for detailed comparison.

A report was developed and submitted to Douglas County, Nevada. The purpose of the report was to document the findings of the R.O. Anderson review for submission to FEMA as part of their public-review process. The results of the submission of materials to FEMA are not known at this time.

 

Filed Under: Hydrology/Hydraulics Tagged With: , ,

Muller Parkway/Pinenut Road Realignment

February 7, 2012 By

Roadway realignment and Roundabout – In 2007 the functional classification of the master planned roadway, Muller Parkway, was upgraded from a major collector to a minor arterial in the Douglas County Transportation Plan. Later in that year, Douglas County adopted a revision to the Douglas County Design Criteria and Improvement Standards (Design Manual), which required separation of collector and arterial roadway intersections to be a minimum distance of 1,320 feet. This resulted in an inconsistency between the Transportation Plan for the Pinenut Road/Muller Parkway intersection and the Design Manual’s traffic requirements.

Peri Enterprises retained R.O. Anderson to prepare an amendment to the Transportation Plan in order to correct this inconsistency. The amendment included the relocation of Pinenut Road (a master planned collector road) as it intersected with Muller Parkway, as well as, an amendment to the Trails Plan consistent with the realigned roads, and to adjacent land uses.

Following approval by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, R.O. Anderson designed the project and prepared the plans, technical specifications, and cost estimates for Peri Enterprises who will both dedicate and construct these regional road improvements. Design considerations included re-alignment of Pinenut Road further to the north to allow for adequate vehicle stacking on Muller Parkway; design of the storm drain system to accommodate these improvements and existing flows from the historically agricultural project area; abandonment of approximately 1,250 lineal feet of the existing Pinenut Road north of the intersection with U.S. Highway 395; removal of the existing asphalt concrete (AC) roadway; design of a roundabout at the intersection of Muller and Pinenut Road; and the design of the new AC roadway with lighting, curb and gutters, water, sewer, storm drain, sidewalk and bike path improvements.

The project is now well under construction with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2012.

Filed Under: Infrastructure Tagged With: ,

Bonanza Park – South Lake Tahoe

February 7, 2012 By

The Bonanza Neighborhood Park project, located in South Lake Tahoe, California, consists of an approximately 43,000 square foot neighborhood park including a children playground, basketball court, picnic area, parking spaces, a large grass area, and other amenities.

R.O. Anderson was engaged by the Owner to utilize the architectural site plan from the landscape architect to prepare the preliminary and final civil improvement plans for the proposed park. R.O. Anderson prepared plans for site grading and construction details, the drainage report, Best Management Practices plan, and an engineer estimate of probable construction costs. The project was designed with infiltration trenching at strategic locations and permeable pavers with storage beds to mitigate storm water run-off.

R.O. Anderson teamed with Coleen Shade, AICP, LEED AP, on this project prior to her employment with the firm. Ms. Shade led the facilitation of stakeholder and public input to develop the design. Additionally, she coordinated and obtained permits through the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, City of South Lake Tahoe, South Tahoe Public Utility District, Liberty Energy and Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board. The project team met the client’s vigorous schedule and brought the project from visioning to permitted bid documents in a total of six months.

The project is currently out to bid and construction will occur in spring 2012.

 

 

Filed Under: Site Development Tagged With: , , ,

Coleen Shade, AICP, LEED Joins R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc.

August 3, 2011 By

Appointment of New Employee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3rd, 2011

R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Ms. Coleen Shade as Principal Planner

Ms. Shade will lead R. O. Anderson’s efforts to provide environmental planning, surveying and consulting civil engineering services to the greater Tahoe basin.

MINDEN, NEVADA, August 3rd, 2011 –R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc. is proud to announce that Ms. Coleen Shade, AICP, LEED AP has joined the firm as Principal Planner. R.O. Anderson provides civil engineering, planning and surveying consulting services with offices in Minden, Nevada and a new office located in South Lake Tahoe, California that is scheduled to open September 9th, 2011.

Coleen Shade, AICP, LEED ap

Robert O. Anderson, P.E., President and CEO of R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc. said that “We are very excited that Coleen has decided to join our firm. Her breadth and depth of experience in the Tahoe basin, coupled with her experience in rural community planning, will provide significant benefits our clients”.

Ms. Shade joins the firm with more than 22 years of experience in environmental planning. For 18 years, Ms. Shade worked for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and held several key positions during her tenure including Long Range Planning Manager. She has proven experience in comprehensive planning (general plans and master) regional planning, sustainability and climate action planning, interdisciplinary project management and public outreach and engagement. She has worked in both the public and private sector, with a particular focus on rural community planning.

Ms. Shade has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education, and Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning. She is member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is a board member of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the South Lake Tahoe Education Foundation. She is also a member of the Lake Tahoe Green Business Cooperative. She has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for 22 years, and is married with two teenage daughters.

Ms. Shade will be responsible for directing and overseeing the firms activities within the greater Tahoe Basin from the firm’s new office located at 595 Tahoe Keys Boulevard, Suite A-2, South Lake Tahoe, California. In her position of Principal Planner, she will be active in providing comprehensive planning and environmental planning consulting services to all of our clients, particularly those within the Tahoe Basin and other rural communities throughout the Sierra Nevada Region.

About R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc.

R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc. is an award winning, multi-disciplinary consulting firm with a service offering which includes civil engineering, land surveying, land use planning, grant writing and administration, hydrology & hydraulics, landscape architecture, residential design, water resources and information technology. Founded in 1989, R.O. Anderson Engineering, Inc. strives to provide creative, cost effective solutions. The firm specializes in providing consulting services to clients located in Northern Nevada, Eastern California and the greater Tahoe Basin.

 

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: ,

Washoe Housing Authority – Residential Area Expansion

July 8, 2011 By

R.O. Anderson Engineering has shared an enduring relationship with the Washoe Housing Authority and the Washoe Tribe in Nevada and California over the past 10 years.  As a result, we have worked on over 30 projects for these related entities.

The projects have included assisting with the development of residential parcels within the Dresslerville community, locating property corners for fencing projects, writing legal descriptions and creating exhibits, engineering design, and site development for the recently constructed community building.  The most current project for the Washoe Housing Authority we are working on is the development of 26 residential lots for the construction of homes.  For this project we have completed a boundary survey of the site, topographical survey required for engineering design, and a community-wide analysis of the drainage to facilitate storm drain design.  We are currently 90% complete with the improvement plans, which include curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt, lot grading, sewer disposal, and the water system for all 26 parcels.

 

Filed Under: Site Development

Fort Churchill Flood Mitigation Project

June 10, 2011 By

Fort Churchill Road is a rural gravel road that meanders along the northern boundary of the Carson River for approximately 16 miles between the communities of Dayton and Silver Springs, in Lyon County, Nevada.  While Fort Churchill Road only generates approximately 140 average daily trips, it serves as the only alternate or emergency route between Dayton and Silver Springs should there be a transportation disruption on U.S. Highway 50.  Directly adjacent to the river bank is the Buckland Ditch which provides irrigation to 3,200 acres of land that is leased out for ranching, agricultural operations, and noxious weed control.  During the 1997 flood event, flow of the Carson River at Fort Churchill peaked at 22,800 cfs.  Portions of the Fort Churchill Road and part of the old Carson River Route of the California Emigrant Trail were flooded and washed away in several places. During such flood events, and when at bank-fill capacity, the Carson River has eroded the river bank at the project site directly adjacent to Fort Churchill Road and the Buckland Ditch, causing a 25-foot vertical bank that is approximately 1,420 linear feet long. In the last six years, there has been a 15 to 20-foot loss of land and it is anticipated that a minor flood event, or less than six years of continued annual erosion, could easily incise the remaining 20 to 30 feet of the bank to a point that it impacts the ditch and road.  Should there be a bank failure, the existing irrigation system will be destroyed and the adjacent Fort Churchill Road washed out.

As a result of our long standing relationship with Dayton Valley Conservation District, R.O. Anderson was asked to consider design alternatives and research funding opportunities for this river bank stabilization project located at Fort Churchill State Historic Park.  R.O. Anderson facilitated meetings with the project partners including Nevada State Parks, Dayton Valley Conservation District, Nevada Division of Forestry, USDA Natural Resources Conservation District, Carson Water Sub-conservancy District, Lyon County, and Nevada State Lands.  Through our in depth grant research program, R.O. Anderson identified the FEMA Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program for potential funding of this project.  R.O. Anderson then prepared the detailed applications for submittal to Nevada Department of Emergency Management and FEMA including a preliminary hydrology and hydraulics report, preliminary project design, and benefit/cost analysis on behalf of the Nevada State Parks.

The proposed conceptual design of the project will consist of construction of a low-flow channel approximately 5,170 FT long located away from the existing bank failure; installation of bio-engineering treatment along the new low-flow channel outer banks to promote long term stability; installation of a lined open channel to convey the irrigation water along approximately 1,420 LF of the existing open ditch; filling the existing bank failure out at a 3:1 (Horizontal to Vertical) slope; and armoring the slope with rock reinforcement to an elevation above the 100 YR event.  The engineer’s preliminary estimate of probable costs for the project totals $2,289,238.

Upon review by the Nevada Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, the Fort Churchill Flood Mitigation Project was ranked #5 out of 8 projects submitted for the State of Nevada.  Additionally, Nevada State Parks was recently notified that the application was successful in the FEMA national competitive process.  Upon completion of the NEPA review, Nevada State Parks will be awarded $1,716,908 or 75% of the total project cost.  The remaining $572,330, or 25% of the project cost, will be provided by State and local partners through donation of in-kind services and bioengineering materials.

Filed Under: Grant Opportunities Tagged With: , ,

State Route 88 Flood Mitigation Project

June 10, 2011 By

State Route 88 is the major north/south transportation route for southern Carson Valley, Nevada, and Alpine County, California. For rural communities located in this area, State Route 88 provides access to grocery stores, medical care, and community services in the Minden-Gardnerville area, which otherwise would be over an hour and a half away.  State Route 88 crosses both the Cottonwood Slough and East Fork Carson River in the southwestern portion of Minden.  The highway embankment is elevated above the surrounding floodplain by several feet. During normal runoff events, such as the spring snowmelt period, flows in East Fork Carson River and Cottonwood Slough pass under the existing bridges. However, during high hydrologic events, such as the Flood of 1997, the combination of elevated roadway and insufficient size of the bridge openings result in increased flooding of the area upstream from the State Route 88 crossings. This causes the potential for overtopping State Route 88 with the resulting loss of access to the remaining portions of the community.   During the 1997 event, erosion from these flows caused severe damage to the bridge abutments resulting in the road being closed for 9 days.

Other events, including one as recent as 2005, resulted in road closures for several days as a safety precaution in the event of damages to the bridges. During such events, when State Route 88 is impassable, detours around the closed area are 1 hour and 33 minutes long due to lack of thoroughfares capable of detour routing and other flooded roadways. Typical traffic along this road is 13,000 average daily trips. In addition to damage to the roadway and/or resultant loss of service, the inability of flows to pass under State Route 88 increases flood-related impacts to adjacent properties, including 204 residences, existing public facilities including the Douglas County’s Emergency Command Center, Douglas County Library, and East Fork Swimming Pool, as well as several commercial buildings.

On behalf of Douglas County R.O. Anderson prepared the preliminary engineering design, preliminary hydraulic analysis, benefit/cost analysis and detailed applications for submittal to Nevada Department of Emergency Management and FEMA for the State Route 88 Flood Mitigation Project.  Additionally, R.O. Anderson coordinated with State and local project partners including Douglas County, Nevada Department of Transportation, Town of Minden, Carson Water Subconservancy District, East Fork Fire Protection District, and secured both in-kind and monetary matches.

The State Route 88 Flood Mitigation Project proposes to construct concrete culverts beneath State Route 88 that will serve to pass high flows under the highway and thereby reduce potential for overtopping and damage at the existing East Fork Carson River and Cottonwood Slough bridges. The project also includes removal of a former bridge abutment located upstream of the existing bridge structure that now serves only to introduce unsteady and unstable flow conditions at the bridge during flood events.  The preliminary estimate of probable costs for the project totals $2,077,000.

Upon review by the Nevada Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, the State Route 88 Flood Mitigation Project was ranked #1 out of 8 projects submitted for the State of Nevada. Douglas County was originally notified that the application was successful in the FEMA national competitive process.  However, due to finalization of the FY2011 budget, Douglas County was recently notified that funding was not available for this project.  Douglas County has requested R.O. Anderson resubmit this application for FEMA UHMA 2012 Cycle.

Filed Under: Grant Opportunities Tagged With: , ,
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