Spencer Mine Safeguard and Reclamation Project: Stormwater Management And Erosion Protection

Spencer Mine Safeguard and Reclamation Project: Stormwater Management And Erosion Protection

Oxbow Ecological Engineering was the proud recipient of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resource Department’s (EMNRD) 2016 Excellence in Reclamation Award for outstanding work on the Spencer Mine Safeguard and Reclamation Project in McKinley County. This annual award recognizes excellence in coal, hard rock and aggregate mine reclamation and abandoned mine land reclamation projects.

Oxbow Ecological Engineering, LLC, was honored for its innovative landforming design to restore a damaged alluvial fan complex (a.k.a. bajada) at the abandoned Spencer Uranium Mine near Grants, New Mexico. OEE collaborated with Craig Sponholtz of Watershed Artisans, Inc. to develop a regenerative erosion control design to restore natural alluvial fan morphology & function. As the Engineer of Record, George Cathey completed all field work, analysis, design, and 100% construction documents (drawings, special provisions, engineer’s estimate & quantity take-offs) for the reclamation and restoration of the alluvial fan complex. Work included a detailed supplemental survey, watershed characterization, hydrologic analysis, and hydraulic modeling. Design elements included a spoil, infrastructure, and road removal plan, headcut and gully stabilization plan, and re-contouring and low impact structure plan to encourage dispersed flow and stormwater infiltration. OEE would like to thank the Mining and Minerals Division for the opportunity to work on such a challenging and transformative project.