Otak has long been at the forefront of survey and mapping processes and electronic data collection. With the recent acquisition of the Hyrdrolite single beam sonar and the Hydrone, an unmanned surface vessel (UVS) with the AutoNav system from Seafloor Systems, Otak’s survey teams have expanded capabilities in bathymetric mapping and hydraulic modeling. As Nathan Dasler, Otak Water Resources Engineer, states, “we now have an easy way of collecting a significant amount of accurate data for mapping channel bottoms to aid in our fish passage and stream restoration work, as well as construction and engineering projects that are either abutted against bodies of water or submerged.”
Equipped with pre-programmable GPS tracking, the UVS allows for remote data collection in otherwise challenging or inaccessible environments. Further, in situations where multiple surveys are needed over time, reliable data can be collected efficiently in the same location, and with extreme precision.
The application and use of the technology and equipment in the field are proving to be beneficial in a number of settings and project types including shoreline validation, hydraulic modeling, and sedimentation measurements.
Read the complete story on how Otak is using this new technology and the data it provides to achieve greater outcomes.
Lying beneath fifty-feet of fill and one of Oregon’s major recreational highways, was an ailing 75-year old concrete culvert with a history of operation and maintenance problems. The culvert in question funnels the Bad Banks Creek underneath Oregon State Route 22 about four miles east of Gates, Oregon. Working with the Oregon Department of Transportation, Otak’s hydraulics engineering team led a design and construction project to repair damage to the 300 foot-long culvert, improve stream flow and provide safer access for ODOT inspection and maintenance crews and equipment.
The Bad Banks Creek culvert at HWY 22 was subject to abrasion from sediment flowing in the stream channel, which over time, had worn down the concrete culvert and exposed the rebar reinforcement. The culvert also presented various safety issues for ODOT inspection and maintenance crews as it was difficult to access either end of the culvert due to steep slopes and lack of space to operate. While extending the life of the culvert was a priority, the other significant part of the project was to improve access for long-term maintenance.
Otak was hired by ODOT in May of 2019 to provide design services for repairs to the culvert to extend its service life and to modify the culvert entrance to improve access for long-term operation and maintenance of the culvert. Otak was then hired to provide construction administration, engineering, and inspection services during construction, which began in June 2020.
Extending the life of the culvert made sense—the typical life-span of concrete reinforced culverts is 75-100 years and it would have been very expensive to replace. As Otak Project Manager and Principal Kevin Timmins, states, “if the culvert ever does get replaced it will likely be with a bridge.” Rather than a costly bridge project with major disruptions to traffic along HWY 22, ODOT was able to get money and permits to make repairs and modifications and chose to work with Otak on a design to prolong the life of the culvert while also addressing the safety and access issues.
To mitigate the effects of streamflow and sediment abrasion, the culvert was lined with six inches of new concrete. The upstream end of the culvert was also extended, a more gradual transition into the culvert was added for better streamflow, and debris fins were installed at the upstream end to catch large debris so it doesn’t enter the culvert. The modifications had the added benefit of allowing the maintenance access road to come further down. As Kevin explains, “previously the access road just stopped at a steep vertical drop off into the culvert. By extending the culvert we were able to bring the road down and across the top of the culvert to the other side where we were able to create a level area where ODOT will be able to park an excavator and reach upstream of the debris fins in the event they need to be able to clear debris in front of the culvert.”
Ten days before substantial completion in September of 2020, the Beechie Creek fire burned through the construction site, scorching the forest vegetation, melting the stream bypass system, and causing damage to a portion of the freshly poured concrete. Otak has been working with the ODOT to manage the response at this site, including project closeout and plans for additional site stabilization and concrete repairs to be constructed in 2021.
“One of the reasons we were excited to work on this project was the fact that we were already familiar with the site,” Kevin stated, “and that our water resource team has a lot of experience in working in streams. They understand the hydraulic conditions, how to manage streamflow during construction, how to accommodate construction access.” This project was an opportunity for Otak’s hydraulics team, who possess deep knowledge and capacity for hydraulic engineering, to work in tandem with Otak’s structural team. Additionally, Otak has experience working on projects in environmentally sensitive areas, and mitigating the environmental impact during construction was a priority and requirement of the state.
In the end, the culvert repairs have staved off a costly bridge replacement by extending the life of the culvert and ODOT inspection and maintenance staff now have better and safer access to the culvert.
Otak has been selected by the Engineering News-Record as an Award of Merit winner for the Pringle Creek Demolition and Stream Restoration project. A virtual ceremony will be held Thursday, December 10 to recognize project winners.
This project was performed for the City of Salem and involved removing a vacant concrete structure and opening a 600-foot linear stream corridor which was designed to appear as if it had always been there. The work improved the aesthetics of the area and added a natural area for nearby residents and future park and trail users. It also improved water quality and increased fish passage.
The size and scope of the project necessitated coordination among several firms including Pacific Habitat Services who was key in obtaining environmental permits, and Geo Design Inc. who assisted with the management of contaminated soils. The prime contractor relied on two key subcontractors; Cascade Shoring and Abiqua Landscape.
The City of Beaverton foresees a revitalization of its downtown area and is taking a proactive role to provide stormwater treatment within drainage areas that could experience redevelopment activity in the near future. The City is currently investing in regional underground public stormwater facilities at two locations as part of this project.
Construction of one of the two facilities was completed in August, which included two large vaults – one to facilitate sedimentation and one to provide enhanced water quality treatment. The construction site was situated near the Beaverton Round on Watson Avenue, just south of the Watson and Hall Blvd. couplet split. This location is near the downstream end of a large tributary area (mostly untreated under pre-project conditions) that could see multiple redevelopment projects in the future. The project was constructed with the goal to provide regional treatment, thus allowing lots within the tributary area to be redeveloped without having to provide individual on-site treatment.
Ashley Cantlon, Senior Water Resources Engineer and Project Manager, has been leading the Otak team that is providing engineering design and support services from preliminary concept through to final construction. The range of services includes hydraulic and hydrologic analysis, survey, design, and visual mitigation (planning/architect), as well as construction management and construction support services. Sub-consultants included 3D Infusion for drafting services and GRI for geotechnical exploration and analysis. The contractor on the project was MEI.
Working within the existing infrastructure in and around the area presented a unique set of challenges. For example, the need to fit the water collection and treatment system into the existing roadway and pipe infrastructure required using flow splitters and as little relocation of utilities as possible. Feasibility studies were conducted at the outset to gain a more complete picture of conflicts and constraints. These studies exposed potential problems which could then be mitigated, but also revealed opportunities to complete a portion of the project in conjunction with other concurrent city-led projects, including replacement of a water line, which will increase efficiencies and cause fewer interruptions to the public.
Flow split structures and other conveyance infrastructure associated with completing the connections to the Watson vaults will be completed in conjunction with other city projects in the nearby area to minimize road closures and traffic disruptions and keep costs down.
This first phase of the water treatment facilities project (installation of the sedimentation and treatment vaults), which broke ground on June 3, 2020, was completed on August 5, within a critical 58-day construction window. Phase 2 (flow split and conveyance infrastructure) is being coordinated and integrated into the other city-led projects and is slated for construction during the summer of 2021, at which point the treatment vaults will be brought online.
Otak came to the project with experience and knowledge of the area from previous work completed under multiple contracts with the City of Beaverton. “We have developed a good working relationship with the City and really enjoy working with their team,” Ashley said. Other stakeholders involved in the project include Clean Water Services, TriMet, and private property owners.
We are excited to announce another Otak project—the Pacific Highway Emergency Culvert Replacement in Clark County—has been awarded Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington Chapter. The Clark County Public Works project was recognized for excellence in the Disaster or Emergency Construction/Repair Category for projects under $5 million.
Following a heavy snow and rain event in February 2019, the existing culvert under Pacific Highway (northwest of La Center, Washington) was obstructed by debris and impounded water on the upstream end. The roadway base was also severely undermined, resulting in a deep scour hole beneath the road, and failure of the reinforced concrete panels of the old highway. The Clark County Council passed a Declaration of Emergency to expedite environmental approvals and contracting for the roadway repairs, and to reopen the highway as soon as possible. As the engineering consultant on-call, Otak was hired to quickly design a new crossing for the unnamed tributary.
In addition to re-opening the roadway, the County had specific goals beyond the typical temporary emergency culvert replacement:
Design a permanent solution to avoid future disruptions, costs, and road closures.
Ensure safe fish passage to the area’s Chinook, chum, coho, and steelhead.
Provide a cost-effective solution.
Avoid utility shutdowns.
The project design team consisted of Otak as the prime consultant, Zucker Engineering for additional engineering capacity, and Hart Crowser for geotechnical evaluations. Together with contractor Thompson Bros. Excavating, the team worked to design and construct a 13-foot span culvert, embedded with a natural stream bottom to repair the road and provide new fish passage. The road was reopened on March 29, 2019, just 45 days after the failure.
Congratulations to Nathan Dasler, PE, CFM, CWRE, and the rest of the team for successfully guiding this critical emergency project and quickly delivering an effective long-term solution to ensure public safety and restore critical fish passage.
Otak is pleased to announce the Smith Island Estuary Restoration Project won both the American Public Works Association (APWA) National and Washington State Chapter, 2020 Project of the Year Award in the category of Environment: $25 million to $75 million. Entered projects are judged on construction management, environmental protection, safety performance, and community relations.
Otak’s Redmond and Everett team provided support to the Snohomish County Public Works Department who managed construction for the project that reestablished tidal marsh conditions to more than 330 acres of the Snohomish River estuary. Work was completed in November 2018.
The project included breaching 4,510 feet of dike to restore tidal flow to the estuary, reconnecting 18,480 feet of tidal channels, and creating 10,994 feet of new channel habitat, and a 1.2-mile new setback dike to protect public and private infrastructure including agriculture and highway. Funding came, in part, through $20.8 million in state and federal grants.
Over the last century, the Snohomish River Estuary had become disconnected from tidal influence due to the installation of 40 dikes, years of deforestation, and urbanization. This altered the functioning of the landscape and caused a tremendous loss of juvenile salmon production. In 1999, Puget Sound Chinook was listed as an endangered species, sparking Snohomish County to acquire 415 acres on Smith Island for habitat restoration. Those efforts took five years. Over the next eight years, the design, permitting, and securing of funds commenced allowing construction to begin in 2015.
The work was done in two phases to accommodate two years of consolidation settlement and subsequent placement of drain pipes in the levee, and to account for tidal fluctuations, weather delays, winter construction suspensions, and work-date restrictions to protect aquatic life.
In Phase 1, Scarsella Brothers constructed the infrastructure to protect surrounding public and private development and initiated restoration of the marsh. For Phase 2, Orion Marine Contractors connected 3.5 miles of tidal channels and installed 42 engineered wood structures to facilitate channel formation and provide cover for juvenile salmon.
Otak is proud to have been involved in the Smith Island Estuary Restoration Project. The benefits from this restoration effort will help bring back several endangered species of salmon contributing more than 30 percent of the Snohomish estuary acreage restoration target that was established in the federally-adopted Chinook salmon recovery plan for the Snohomish Basin. Smith Island now can support up to 250,000 juvenile salmon each year and provides public access to water recreation, walking trails, and wildlife viewing areas, as well as enhanced aquatic habitat and water quality. In addition, Smith Island is an important stopover on the regional flight corridor for migratory birds flying between Alaska, Mexico, and South America.
In December 2019, Otak surveyed staff from 26 Western Washington’s Phase II municipal stormwater permittees to assess their preparedness to develop an effective Stormwater Management Action Plan.
Under the 2019-2024 NPDES permit’s SMAP requirement, cities and counties will need to develop a capital improvement program specifically to improve the water quality of their rivers, lakes, and streams—a first for many of the permittees.
The study’s results are highlighted in Otak’s white paper “How Prepared Are Phase II Western Washington Jurisdictions to Create Stormwater Management Action Plans?” and covers: * how well SMAP requirements are understood, * how stormwater management is communicated between departments, and * what resources can help permittees reach compliance.
Times are challenging as we all face the impacts of COVID-19. But as our day to day lives have been disrupted, mother nature continues on unabated. Flowers have come up, migrating birds have returned, and temperatures are rising.
In recognition of all that nature provides, Earth Day is celebrated throughout April. While this year there won’t be group events as we practice social distancing, Otak is still taking this time to celebrate the great outdoors.
Otak has again signed on as a business partner for Earth Day Oregon to recognize, support and celebrate our planet and those organizations that work hard every day for our natural world. Through Earth Day Oregon, Otak donated to Depave, a nonprofit that works to turn paved spaces into greenspaces to create more livable cities. We understand the environmental and social benefits greenspace can have and gladly stand behind and have volunteered for the many projects Depave has undertaken to green the landscape of Portland. We look forward to working together with Depave on its next project.
On the homefront, Otak’s GO Committee and Operations Team remind us that Earth Day is really every day and there are things we can do in our daily lives to get back to nature.
Start a small garden. You can build raised beds in your yard, or simply pot some herbs and veggies to grow on your porch.
Bike and walk more. Do you live near your local grocery store? Consider if it is possible to walk or bike for your next trip to the store (while following proper PPE and social distancing guidelines). A win-win for getting outside and getting your essential errands done.
Start a home compost. Many of us are already doing this. Check-in with your local trash service to see if they offer compost pick up. If not and if space allows, you can start composting in your backyard by purchasing something like a “Bio Monster” or “Worm Factory” bin and use the compost for your garden.
Shop locally, eat seasonally. With stay-at-home orders in place during the opening weeks for farmers’ markets, your local market or farm might be offering pick-up or delivery!
Play Earth Day Bingo! Get the family involved in this great activity from the City of Kirkland.
Getting outside is one of the recommendations for keeping COVID-19 at bay, as well as a way to maintain your mental health. We want our employees to stay healthy so we encourage you to get out and show your love for the planet, on earth day and every day!
Working as a sub-consultant to HunterH2O, Australia, Otak undertook water resources assessments for water supply in three towns in Papua New Guinea. The assessments included installation of hydro-logical monitoring systems and hydro-geological assessments (pumping tests and groundwater modelling) to confirm the most suitable water source, or combination of sources, to meet demand projections, with due consideration for climate change. Otak also prepared an outline environment management plan and social impact assessments for each water supply system, requiring household surveys and focus group discussions.
As one of the most visited areas of Grand Teton National Park, the Snake River is renowned for its accessibility to various outdoor recreation activities such as fishing and float trips. Between aging structures and damage to local ecology as a result of visitor use, Snake River in Grand Teton National Park sought to improve its two of its primary access points (Pacific Creek and Moose Landing) and add new access just below Jackson Lake Dam. This Otak multidisciplinary approach would assess the scenic waterway to maintain its integrity, update water access points and expand in scope to include new visitor facilities.
Improved Visitor Use Meets Waterway Integrity
Over time, changing visitor use patterns and deteriorating water access points began to negatively impact the area’s riparian ecosystem as well as Snake River’s overall visitor experience. Improvements at Snake River focus on enhancing the visitor experience and sustainability of its facilities. Geomorphic and hydraulic assessments helped determine optimal site locations, design concepts, and characterization of fluvial hazards at the proposed sites. These studies determined the current trajectory of the channel as well as potential risks to any new investments in infrastructure along the river. The design created sufficient parking, hardened facilities to keep visitors out of sensitive areas as well as new fishing platforms, shade structure, restrooms and boat ramps to make recreational use safer and more accessible.
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The project design team consisted of Otak as the prime consultant, Zucker Engineering for additional
Start a home compost.
