Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: Wetland Water Delivery System Improvement Project
Gray lodge Wildlife Area, located in the heart of the Pacific Flyway, hosts over a million wintering waterfowl on it’s 9,200 acres of wetlands and riparian woodlands. The habitat and wildlife in the area depend on water and prior to this project the existing irrigation water delivery system was degraded, inefficient and dependent on groundwater pumps and low quality agricultural drain water. The water conveyance infrastructure needed major improvements to facilitate better habitat management and handle future flows mandated by the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). Ducks Unlimited and its partners developed a comprehensive master plan in 1999 to renovate the entire water distribution system on the wildlife area. Work was divided into six phases and the project was completed less than decade later in 2009. Ducks Unlimited’s Biologist and Engineering teams were responsible for survey, design, contracting, construction management and securing funding from start to finish. More than 30 miles of canals were improved or constructed as part of the project. As part of earthmoving operations, thousands of acres of wetlands adjacent to the canal alignment were also re-contoured to improve habitat, water quality, and mosquito abatement/vector control. More than 350 water-control structures were installed and more than 30 existing pumps were integrated into the system. Additionally, more than 7,000 tons of road gravel was strategically placed to improve access for habitat management and public recreation. Overall, the project made high-quality water available throughout the area, reduced pumping costs; provided infrastructure to handle future increases in water supplies; improved water and habitat management capabilities; and improved opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation such as fishing, wildlife watching and educational tours.
The following is a summary of George F. Cathey’s technical contribution to the project (as an employee of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.):
- Construction Inspector and Field Engineer for Phase 4 & 5 (2003) – Checked grades and earthwork compaction and monitored general construction progress. Assisted with change orders, invoicing, and dispute resolution as required.
- Lead Surveyor/Designer/Construction Manager for Phase 5 Completion (2004) – Worked closely with CADFG staff to determine the preliminary alignment and costs for this portion of canal. Completed topographic surveys of the canal corridor and adjacent wetland units. Completed hydraulic modeling and calculations for the canal using HEC-RAS, balanced ~110,000 cubic yards of earthwork, and designed/specified ~75 water control structures, including a cast-in-place concrete road crossing structure. Completed the construction package (specifications, drawings, engineer’s opinion of probable cost, and unit price table) and conducted the pre-bid site-showing and pre-construction meeting. Staked the site prior to construction and managed construction activities thereafter including inspection, change orders, budgeting, invoicing, and dispute resolution.
- Lead Surveyor/Designer/Construction Manager for Phase 6 (2005) – Worked closely with CADFG staff to determine the preliminary alignment and costs for this portion of canal. Completed topographic surveys of the canal corridor and adjacent wetland units. Completed hydraulic modeling and calculations for the canal using HEC-RAS, balanced ~50,000 cubic yards of earthwork, and designed/specified ~40 water control structures. Completed the construction package (specifications, drawings, engineer’s opinion of probable cost, and unit price table) and conducted the pre-bid site-showing and pre-construction meeting. Staked the site prior to construction and managed construction activities thereafter including inspection, change orders, budgeting, invoicing, and dispute resolution.
- Engineer of Record and Lead Surveyor/Designer for Phase 6 Completion (2006-2007) – Worked closely with CADFG staff to determine the preliminary alignment and costs for the portion of canal delivering water to the “Closed Zone” portion of the wildlife area. Collaborated with DU biological staff to pursue NAWCA and WCB funding and secure permits once funding was received. Completed topographic surveys of the canal corridor and adjacent wetland units. Completed hydraulic modeling and calculations for the canal using HEC-RAS, balanced ~66,000 cubic yards of earthwork, and designed/specified 75 water control structures. Completed and sealed the construction package (specifications, drawings, engineer’s opinion of probable cost, and unit price table) and conducted the pre-bid site-showing.