Camp Verde Culvert Design Team

CLIENT & CONTACT INFO:

Ron Long, PE
Camp Verde Town Engineer
Ron.Long@campverde.az.gov
928-814-6399

TEAM MEMBERS & CONTACT INFO:

James Mueller- jm737@nau.edu
Shane Johannsen- srj44@nau.edu
Tony Valencia- ajv37@nau.edu
Katie Vanyo- csv26@nau.edu

From left: Tony Valencia, Shane Johannsen, James Mueller, Katie Vanyo.

Project Understanding

1.0 Project Background

The purpose of this project is to propose a solution for the flooding of Verde Lakes Drive in Camp Verde, AZ. The area of interest is about 8 miles east of the Interstate 17 and less than a mile south of the AZ Highway 206 as shown in Figure 1.1. Verde Lakes Drive is the main road connecting the town of Camp Verde to over 1,200 residences. Annual spring runoff and summer monsoons have generated heavy flows in the West Clear Creek Stream which overtop the current roadway multiple times each year. When flooding occurs, the main road is shut down causing traffic to take an alternative route. The detour adds about 10-15 minutes to an otherwise five minute drive. This road is closed about 15-20 times a year which is not only frustrating to the inhabitants of the town, but more importantly adds time travel for emergency vehicles in case of fire or health emergencies requiring hospital transport.

Figure 1.2: Site of Interest

An aerial view of the site of interest can be seen in Figure 1.2. The two diagonal lines represent the area of road currently experiencing flooding, which is about 800 feet in length.

Initially one culvert was implemented to allow the flow of the stream to pass underneath the road, but in the past 15 years the main tributary of the stream has shifted requiring the implementation of two more channeling systems. These systems include: 1 box culvert, concrete reinforcement, and 2 additional pipe culverts. Figures 1.3 (a-c) below show the current culvert designs in place.

Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.2.

Recently, another tributary has branched off where there is no current channeling system in place. A solution to this problem must be implemented as soon as possible which will include a new system of culverts and a horizontal alignment of the current roadway.

There are four areas where the stream crosses the road along the 800 foot span. Three of these areas contain a culvert or series of culverts which are overdue for a redesign. West Clear Creek is a braided stream with many tributaries and upon heavy flow is said to have “a mind of its own” therefore making the stream tough to predict. The stream also carries large debris through its course including tree branches and rocks which tend to clog the current culverts frequently. A large amount of settlement build up has occurred over the years as well. The current road conditions are poor and the road is narrow. The elevation of the current span of road is relatively flat with little elevation change.

2.0 Technical Solutions

Primarily, a hydraulic analysis needs to be performed on the area including delineating the watershed contributing to the stream. Storm conditions as well as survey data have been provided. Upon understanding flow conditions, a design can be implemented.

Different types of culverts will be researched and the most suitable culvert type will be implemented at each location. A vertical alignment will be performed on the road in order to raise it up and allow room for the culverts.

3.0 Technical Challenges

Technical challenges the design team will face include: the length of the roadway, culvert placement, and regulatory issues. Because this roadway is 800 feet long, multiple culverts will need to be implemented, they may be different types of culverts depending on the type of flow at each location. Culvert placement will be decided by determining the critical points at which the stream crosses the roadway. Finally, this stream falls under section 404 of the Clean Water Act which prohibits interference with the streams current path as well as adding pollutants (fill) to the stream. In addition, if the road must be raised vertically, it will require wider fore slopes, thus creating a potential challenge for the teams vertical alignment design.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Task 1 Project Management includes client and technical advisor meeting which will consist of project checkpoints at 30, 60, and 90% completion. Meeting Agendas will be provided and documented in the final report as well as minutes taken at each meeting. Schedule and progress reports will also help keep our group on task. A quality control checklist will be used to ensure that the requirements set forth by the City of Camp Verde, Yavapai County, AASHTO, and the EPA are met.

Task 2 Hydrology requires determining a design flow and corresponding depth of flow to determine the minimum height of the roadway. The flow will be determined using a gage station about 7 miles upstream from the site. Average Peak annual values will be used to determine a peak flow for a 5 year event.

Task 3 Alternative Analysis includes developing design alternatives in meetings and group discussions. These design alternatives will determine what types of culverts will be implemented into the design. A design decision for what type of culvert to use will be made based on cost, efficiency, maintenance, aesthetics, and safety. A Vertical realignment of the roadway will be design as well based off the depth of flow.

Task 4 Culvert Analysis includes designing the height, width, and location of the culverts to be implemented. AutoCAD Civil 3D Hydraflow will be used to determine culvert dimensions and location.

Task 5 final report includes a final design report with the deliverable associated with each task.