Engineering Services: Hydrology & Hydraulics

Hydrology & Hydraulics

As a firm that specializes in water resources, Dodson & Associates, Inc. has become one of the leading firms called upon for hydrology/hydraulics related issues. Our work over the past years has earned us the reputation as certainly the best in the Houston area, and among the best in the south central U.S. at this particular type of work. The following are just a few examples of how Dodson & Associates, Inc. has done its best to represent its clients in their hydrology/hydraulics studies needs.

Big Creek Hydraulic Study

Rosenberg, Texas

Big Creek is one of the major waterways in the southern portion of Fort Bend County, Texas. A bypass channel was constructed north of Brazos Bend State Park to carry flood water eastward into the Brazos River, reducing the flow through the park. Only a limited flow, sufficient to preserve the natural condition of the creek channel, is to be allowed to pass through the park. The channel of Big Creek is currently being widened from the upstream end of the bypass channel.

The major objective of this study includes identification of the most effective use of available funds in terms of increased flood protection along Big Creek. Two basic approaches to finding the most cost-effective channel improvement design are included in the project:

Provision of a consistent level of protection expressed as the storm recurrence interval (e.g., 10-year, 25-year, 100-year) for which flood protection can be provided.
Improvement to as much of the channel as possible to convey 100-year peak flow rates that are consistent with current (2002) levels of urban development within the watershed.

Work done to accomplish this includes development of the hydrologic and hydraulic models, storm recurrence interval accommodations, preparation of alternative channel improvement plans, and assessments of these alternatives on flooding potential.

Hydrology & Hydraulics Support for US90A and SH6

Houston, Texas

Dodson & Associates, Inc. has been asked by the Texas Department of Transportation to assist with services in order to reconstruct and widen US 90A. These services include the following: (1) profile view of the existing roadway along the length of job, (2) a tentative profile for the proposed roadway, (3) profile of existing ground along the proposed right of way lines, and (4) high water elevations for the 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100-year design frequencies. Perform a comprehensive drainage impact study and the detail design for the drainage components. Complete drainage design of the project. An impact analysis is also required on ditches, bayous, creeks and rivers as related to the 100-year storm.

Hydraulic Analysis of Cooling Water Discharge System

Maraven Refinery, Cardon, Venezuela

The Maraven Cardón Refinery is located on the western coast of the Paraguana Peninsula in the state of Falcón, Venezuela. The Maraven Cardón Refinery was undergoing a series of renovations and expansions. The existing Alkylation Unit Number 1 (called “Alk-1” in this report) was scheduled to undergo a renovation in 1997 to restore the original capacity of the unit and to update it to current operational and safety standards. A hydraulic analysis of the existing cooling water discharge system serving the Alkylation Units Number 1 and Number 2 at the Maraven Refinery was provided to:

1. Establish the existing operating conditions of the channel system including all downstream elements of the system.

2. Determine whether the existing discharge channel system is adequate to accommodate an increase in discharges resulting from processing unit capacity expansion.

3. Recommend improvements as needed to provide the capacity required to serve the renovated processing units.

4. Establish the maximum allowable flow capacity of each element of the cooling water discharge system serving the units.

Dallas Floodway Extension

Fort Worth, Texas

The Dallas Floodway project is a system of levees and conveyance areas originally constructed in the 1950’s to provide flood protection along the Trinity River as it flows through the southeastern portion of the City of Dallas. In response to continued development and to flooding in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Fort Worth District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has developed a plan for expanding the levee system to maintain an acceptable level of flood protection.

Hydrologic and hydraulic data used in planning the Dallas Floodway Extension project were developed using HEC-1 models of the Upper Trinity River Basin and HEC-2 models of the Trinity River channel and flood plain. Available streamflow data were used to calibrate the HEC-1 and HEC-2 models to historical storm events. The major purpose of Dodson & Associates, Inc.’s review of the DFE project was to evaluate the calibration and formation of the HEC-1 and HEC-2 computer models used in the development of the Dallas Floodway Extension project.

Harris County On-Call Hydraulic Studies & Training

Harris County, Texas

Dodson & Associates, Inc. is currently providing engineering services related to on-call hydraulic studies and training for various design projects involving drainage or bridges within Harris County, Texas. Training to be provided includes HEC-2 and other related floodplain issues as needed.