Civil Engineering Services Division (8100)

Division Chief:  Richard LaFond (rlafond@usbr.gov; 303-445-3226) 

The Civil Engineering Services Division has approximately 100 staff that provide integrated technical expertise in:  1) Concrete Dams, 2) Spillways and Outlet Works, 3) Plant Structures , 4) Water Conveyance, 5) Civil Structures, and 6) Water Treatment Facilities.

Waterways & Concrete Dams 1 (8110)

Group Manager:  Steve Dominic (sdominic@usbr.gov; 303-445-2379)

The Waterways and Concrete Dams Group 1 specializes in structural, hydraulic, and quantitative risk analyses, evaluations, and designs of concrete dams and appurtenant hydraulic structures (such as spillways and outlet works) for both concrete and embankment dams. A large portion of the group's work experience involves safety of dams evaluations. Specific capabilities include:

  • Site suitability for hydraulic structures and concrete dams
  • Sophisticated linear and non-linear finite element analyses of concrete dams, dam foundations and appurtenant structures
  • Location, layout, design, and evaluation of new and existing hydraulic structures and concrete dams
  • Field exploration and monitoring programs for hydraulic structures and concrete dams
  • Identification of loading conditions for hydraulic structures
  • Technical criteria, standards, and guidelines used in hydraulic and structural analyses
  • Technical consulting associated with analyses, designs, and construction support
  • Technical expertise associated with risk assessment, potential failure mode identification, and performance parameter development

Plant Structures (8120)

Group Manager:  Al Bernstein (abernstein@usbr.gov; 303-445-3275)

The Plant Structures Group is composed of civil and structural engineers, architects, and civil engineering technicians. Expertise and background include project management, coordinating and preparing planning studies, structural analysis and design, architectural design, and construction support services. The group provides a wide array of services including:

  • Structural analysis and design and functional layouts of structures including, but not limited to, hydroelectric powerplants, pumping plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities, visitor centers, office buildings and maintenance/industrial buildings. Structures may be constructed of reinforced concrete, precast/prestressed concrete, structural steel, timber, masonry, and miscellaneous metalwork
  • Architectural designs associated with hydroelectric powerplants, pumping plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities, visitor centers, office buildings and maintenance/industrial buildings
  • Civil and structural design of switchyards and substations
  • Structural evaluation of existing facilities
  • Construction support and inspections
  • Evaluation, design, and retrofit of buildings for accessibility compliance in accordance with guidelines established by the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Evaluation, design, and retrofit of buildings for life safety compliance in accordance with the National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code) and the International Building Code (IBC)

Waterways & Concrete Dams 2 (8130)

Group Manager:  Ernie Hall (ehall@usbr.gov; 303-445-3244)

The Waterways and Concrete Dams Group 2 specializes in structural, hydraulic, and quantitative risk analyses, evaluations, and designs of concrete dams and appurtenant hydraulic structures (such as spillways and outlet works) for both concrete and embankment dams. A large portion of the group's work experience involves safety of dams evaluations. Unique capabilities include:

  • Rehabilitation of existing hydraulic structures and concrete dams
  • Breaching of concrete dams
  • Roller compacted concrete (RCC) technology
  • Reservoir routings for single and multiple dams and systems
  • Mitigation of damage caused by cavitation and stagnation pressure
  • Overtopping protection for concrete and embankment dams
  • Evaluation of intake towers subject to seismic loadings
  • Development of diversion systems
  • Closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection and evaluation services are available for toe drains, relief wells, outlet works/spillway conduits, pipelines, penstocks, siphons, and gates/valves

Water Conveyance (8140)

Group Manager:  Chris Duke (wduke@usbr.gov; 303-445-3120)

The Water Conveyance Group produces final designs, appraisal studies, and feasibility studies for pipelines and canals. Capabilities include:

  • Lateral and pipe distribution systems, including high-pressure pipelines
  • Irrigation and power canals
  • River and natural channel works
  • Hydraulic transient analysis
  • Pumping plant intake, outlet structures, and discharge lines
  • Conveyance system automation
  • Closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection and evaluation services

Civil Structures (8150)

Group Manager:  Tim Brown (tbrown@usbr.gov; 303-445-3709)

The Civil Structures Group provides analysis and designs for heavy civil structures including tunnels, roads, bridges, canal appurtenant structures, and in-river structures. The group also provides team leaders for final design projects,appraisal studies, and feasibility design studies. Engineers specialize in structural and hydraulic designs for:

  • Roads and bridges
  • Canal headworks, check structures, and gated waste ways
  • Pressure, free flow, and access tunnels
  • Underground chambers and shafts
  • Reinforced or prestressed concrete storage, surge, or regulating tanks
  • Diversion structures, fish screens, fish ladders, fish barriers, and reservoir and other structures

Water Treatment (8190)

Group Manager:  Scott Irvine (sirvine@usbr.gov; 303-445-2253)

The Water Treatment Group provides engineering and research services for the treatment of contaminated water supplies, wastewater, hazardous and industrial waste streams, and agricultural drainage. The group combines the multidiscipline expertise of chemical, environmental, and mechanical engineers to develop comprehensive water treatment solutions. Specific capabilities include:

services and equipment

  • Development of treatment goals and process options based on water quality, regulations, applicable technologies, environmental impacts, costs, and client preferences
  • All phases of planning and design from preliminary studies to preparation of specifications and drawings for design-build and construction contracts
  • Laboratory bench and field pilot testing of treatment equipment including development of test plans, equipment assembly, data collection, sampling, and analysis
  • Evaluation of regulatory and permitting requirements for treatment systems
  • Troubleshooting and retrofitting of existing treatment systems
Last Updated: 6/30/16