HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERFIELD P.U.D., 2ND FILING - FINAL - 7-95D - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - STORMWATER-RELATED DOCUMENTSI
Mr. Rob Wilkinson
Page 3
November 17, 1997
If you have any questions regarding these preliminary results, please call Terry Geiselman at 970-
484-7573.
Sincerely,
Riverside Technology, inc.
Terry Geiselman
Project Manager
cc: P. Plumley (RTi)
B. Curtiss (Northern Engineering)
oealwnkin.w.dac 11117197
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Mr. Rob Wilkinson
Page 2
November 17, 1991
layers with the boundary between the top layer and bottom layer being flat at an elevation of 4,945
feet above mean sea level. The model has 140 cells in the east -west direction and 134 cells in the
north -south direction. Each cell is 20 feet wide and 20 feet long. The cell thicknesses in the top
layer vary with topography. Cell thicknesses for the bottom layer are all 45 feet. The top of the
model mimics the planned graded elevations and the bottom of the model is at 4,900 feet amsl. The
model incorporated evaporation and evapotranspiration from the wetland area.
Using the water levels recorded in the monitoring wells and at the pond staff gage as calibration
points, the model was run and hydrogeologic parameters were adjusted until the ground water
elevation predicted by the model matched (within I foot) the measured ground water elevations at
the observation points. The process of adjusting hydrogeologic parameters to calibrate the model
required approximately 40 steady-state simulations. With the model properly calibrated to show
current ground water conditions, the model was used to estimate the flow from the proposed drain
system. The drain system design from Northern Engineering Inc. was incorporated into the ground
water model using MODFLOW's drain subroutine. All of the basic hydrogeologic model parameters
determined from the model calibration were retained when simulating the drain system.
The preliminary results of the modeling are as follows:
• Estimated Drain Discharge: The estimated discharge from the subdrain required to lower the
ground water levels approximately 15 feet in the vicinity of the first filing is on the order of
5,000 ft'/day. Field data collected during this investigation suggest that an existing tile drain
may exist in the vicinity of the proposed housing. The suspected tide drain system apparently
discharges to a ditch located along the east side of the pond/wetlands. The estimated discharge
from the pipe is unknown but was estimated in the field at around 1 to 2 felsec. This existing
drain discharge appears to be a major component of flow to maintain water levels within the
pond and associated wetland. It is likely that the excavation of the subdrain system will also
intercept the flow from the existing tile drain. Based on our current understanding, the combined
flow from the subdrain system (flow from lowering the heads plus the flow captured from the
existing tile drain system) is estimated at approximately 180,000 ft'/day. It should be noted that
this probably reflects a peak flow rate that would only be realized for a few months each year.
However, this flow rate of 180,000 ft'/day is well within the capacity of the proposed 8-inch
diameter pipe.
• Estimated impacts to the wetland system: We understand that all of the water captured by the
subdrain system would be discharged into the pond wetland system. Furthermore, we
understand that the pond would be installed with a control structure to allow for the pond
elevation to be maintained at approximately 4,950 feet amsl. The subdrain outlet would be
located at or above an elevation of 4,950. Therefore, installation of the subdrain system should
not adversely impact the pond and wetland system.
n441/wilkinxadoc 11/17N7
Riverside Technology, inc.
Water Resources Engineering and Consulting
November 17, 1997
Mr. Rob Wilkinson
City of Fort Collins
Natural Resources Department
281 N. College Ave
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
Re: Preliminary Ground Water Modeling Results
Dear Rob:
The purpose of this letter is to provide a brief summary of the results of the ground water modeling
performed for the First Filing of the Waterfield P.U.D. We assume that for the purposes of this
evaluation the general layout of the subdrain system is identical or was not modified for the Second
Filing. The modeling was performed to estimate the flow rate that could be produced from the
subdrain system designed to lower the water table in the vicinity of the First Filing. A complete
description of the existing baseline data, model setup, model calibration, and model simulations will
be provided in a technical report for the project. We understand that the objectives of the project
include (1) lowering the water table in the vicinity of the housing, and (2) maintaining the existing
pond and wetland system.
Prior to modeling, the project site was investigated by drilling and installing eight monitoring wells
around the site to measure water levels. The wells were also used to conduct field tests to estimate
the hydraulic conductivity of the hydrostratigraphic units. A staff gage was also installed as part of
this investigation to monitor the elevation of the water surface in the pond area. The results of the
site investigation and monitoring were used to develop a conceptual model of the ground water flow
system. The conceptual model defines the general hydrostratigraphic conditions and flow system
across the site. the major components of the ground water system were simulated using Visual
MODFLOW, a PC -based ground water modeling program developed by Waterloo Hydrogeologic
Software. Visual MODFLOW is a graphics -based implementation of the MODFLOW program
(McDonald and Harbaugh 1988) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. MODFLOW is
commonly used to analyze changes in ground water levels and flow cause by pumping or drains. It
is also very useful in applications involving the interaction of ground water with surface water.
The ground water model covers the Waterfield P.U.D. from the Larimer-Weld Canal southward to
approximately 500 feet south of the wetland area. The western model boundary is County Road 11
and the eastern boundary is Summitview Drive. The model consists of two hydrostratigraphic
n44//wi(kinw.dnc 11117197
2290 E. Prospect Road, Suite 1 Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 (970) 484-7573 FAX: (970) 484-7593