Civil Engineering Services Division #1 (8101)

Division Chief:  David Kresin (dkresin@usbr.gov; 303-445-3131) 

The Civil Engineering Services Division #1 has approximately 76 staff that provide integrated technical expertise in:  1) Plant Structures, 2) Water Conveyance, 3) Civil Structures, and 4) Water Treatment.

Plant Structures (8120)

Group Manager:  Lan Nguyen (ltnguyen@usbr.gov; 303-445-2128)

The Plant Structures Group is composed of structural engineers and architects. 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
  • 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)

Water Conveyance 1 and 2 (8140, 8141)

Group Managers:
8140—Michelle Norris (mlnorris@usbr.gov; 303-445-3510)
8141—Tim Steen (tsteen@usbr.gov; 303-445-3107)

The Water Conveyance Groups support planning, design, and construction phases of pipelines, canals, and civil sitework. Capabilities include:

  • Pipelines
    • Pipe material, size, and alignment design for new pipelines
    • Steady state, extended period simulation, and transient analysis for existing and proposed pipe systems
    • Trenchless technology design (HDD, jack and bore, microtunneling, etc.)
    • Control appurtenance evaluation (valves, pumps, etc.)
    • Tank sizing (forebay, clearwell, regulating, surge, air chamber, etc.)
    • Existing system analysis, rehabilitation, repair, and improvement design
  • Canals
    • Canal hydraulic design (lining, size, alignment, etc.)
    • One-dimensional hydraulic modeling
    • Control feature hydraulic design (wasteways, checks, turnouts, etc.)
    • Inlet and outlet hydraulic design
    • Siphon and tunnel design
    • Existing system analysis, rehabilitation, repair, and improvement design
  • Civil Sitework
    • Grading plans
    • Road and bridge layout
    • Detention and retention ponds
    • Culvert design
    • Site layout
  • Complex Project Management

Civil Structures (8150)

Group Manager:  Chou Cha (ccha@usbr.gov; 303-445-3129)

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:  Michael (Mike) Kramer (mkramer@usbr.gov; 303-445-2946)

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: 12/16/24