Schnabel Spotlights: WSSC 2023 Structures

In the Western United States where water is an increasingly scarce resource, precise water accounting and delivery are critical.  Colorado’s many rivers are managed by a complex network of irrigation ditches with gates and check structures that direct water to local landowners and downstream to seven U.S. states and Mexico.

Traditionally, these ditches have been manually controlled, requiring operators to visit the site, measure flow, adjust gates, and re-measure—a labor-intensive and sometimes hazardous process. Moreover, much of this infrastructure, built over 50 years ago, is overdue for significant upgrades, repairs, or replacements.

Schnabel Engineering was hired by the Water Supply and Storage Company (WSSC) to embark on a multi-year project to update this vital infrastructure. Tasked with evaluating the Larimer County Canal (LCC) from the Cache La Poudre River to downstream users, we identified the most critical structures for replacement and then we designed state-of-the-art, automated gate systems to replace the outdated gates.

In summer 2022, Schnabel began work on this project with the design of two automated gate structures in Weld County, CO, capable of self-regulating by measuring flow and adjusting gates to maintain constant water levels or flow rates. These gates, powered by solar energy, send real-time data to an online portal, enabling remote monitoring and adjustments—an eco-friendly and efficient solution.

Our hydraulic analysis determined the need for a double eight-foot-wide gate upstream near Severance, CO and a separate six-foot-wide gate downstream, near Ault, CO. The design of the six-foot gate included replacement of two existing headgates with automated meters; the new structures not only served the upstream diversion headgates, but also ensured precise measurements and, therefore, accurate water distribution.

Throughout the life of the project, Schnabel has worked closely with the client and contractor to find the right solution to meet the client’s needs, stay within budget, and ensure an operable system before the start of irrigation season. We are pleased to design sustainable solutions for our growing water needs throughout the West and look forward to creating safer, more accurate, and more user-friendly systems in years to come!