Surface Water and Groundwater Hydrology Services

        Western Water & Land offers extensive experience in the assessment and analysis of surface water and groundwater resources.  The natural inter-relationship between surface water and groundwater requires a thorough understanding of processes in both fields.  Our hydrologists have well-balanced experience in both surface water and groundwater applications.  This experience stems from traditional instruction and training at distinguished universities and many years of practical application. 

         Western Water & Land is particularly experienced in the characterization of groundwater systems.  Western Water & Land has implemented field characterization projects utilizing multifaceted hydraulic testing including horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity testing, fracture flow, and unsaturated flow.  Western Water & Land has implemented multi-well tests with packer systems and downhole geophysics to characterize fracture zones. 

       Western Water & Land complements their field testing experience with the use of various quantitative predictive tools and numerical computer models for surface water/groundwater resource and contamination studies.  These industry-accepted models range from simple lumped-parameter, one-dimensional balance models to complex, multidimensional flow and transport models.  Western Water & Land has considerable experience in developing, documenting, and applying quantitative hydrologic/hydrogeologic models.  Our experienced staff has the judgment to apply the appropriate model for any given scenario.  Examples of applied programs include HEC-1, HEC-RAS, TR-55, CAP, PHREEQE, HYDRUS™, TDAST™, Groundwater Vistas™, Visual MODFLOW™, and Groundwater Modeling System (GMS™).

        Water chemistry analysis is a critical component of almost every surface and groundwater investigation.  Western Water & Land has broad experience in geochemical sampling, analysis, and data interpretation.  The knowledge of geochemical relationships allows Western Water & Land to design complete yet practical water quality monitoring programs.

        Our hydrologists have broad work experience with applications in industrial, agricultural, and municipal projects.  Our services extend from “upstream” projects for delineation and supply of raw water resources to “downstream” projects for water treatment and remediation.  In addition, we conduct water resource protection and water quality assessment projects. 

         Western Water & Land has demonstrated experience and capabilities in watershed management and evaluations, surface water quality (chemistry) studies, statistical analysis of streamflow records, evaluation of water rights, groundwater resource characterization and geochemistry evaluations, and surface water/groundwater interrelationship studies.  Additionally, our capabilities include application of flood hydrology techniques to estimate and characterize runoff potential from areas ranging from small developments to large river drainages.

        Western Water & Land provides technical services for many aspects of wetland evaluations including wetland delineation, impact analysis, regulatory permitting, wetland banking, and mitigation activities.  We offer knowledge of the numerous state and federal regulatory programs; have well-established relationships with regulators (i.e., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers); and have extensive experience in the design, implementation, and monitoring of mitigation projects.

 Western Water & Land provides hydrologic services related to the following

 General Hydrologic Services:

•  Monitoring Program Development and Implementation

•  Water Resource Development and Management

• Water Rights Assessment

• Water Augmentation Plans

• Source Water Assessment and Protection

• Surface Water and Groundwater Quality Studies and Evaluations

• Data Interpretation and Management

•  Public Participation Programs

Groundwater:

• Comprehensive Aquifer Characterization

• Hydraulic Testing

• Production and Monitoring Well Design and Construction

• Water quality sampling

• Remediation Programs

• Numerical Flow and Transport Modeling

• Drainage Design

• Tracer Studies

            Surface Water:      

• Watershed Management Planning

• TMDL Studies

• Wetland Delineation

• Treatment Wetland Design and Construction

• Channel Stabilization Design and Erosion Control Structures

• Regulatory Permitting (USACOE 404 and Wetlands Permits)

• Debris Catchment and Infiltration Basin Design

• Floodplain Delineation

• Flood Frequency and Watershed Runoff Analysis

• Culvert Sizing Design

• Artificial Recharge Evaluation

• Precipitation Data Collection and Analysis

• Streamflow Data Collection, Modeling, and Analysis

• Wetlands/Riparian Restoration and Revegetation

Mining Industry Services

        The professionals at Western Water & Land have extensive experience providing services to the mining industry.  Our principals have been involved in mining for much of their careers and understand and have effectively resolved environmental issues associated with mine planning/permitting, ongoing mine operations, and mine closure. 

        Western Water & Land has conducted numerous hydrological and mine-waste related studies for the oil shale and coal mining industry in western Colorado and in northern Arizona.  These projects have involved the implementation of complex hydrological surface and underground characterization programs, mine drainage issues, landslide mitigation, water supply, impoundment tracer studies, refuse disposal and leachate fate studies, and surface reclamation. 

        In addition, we have extensive experience in the reclamation of former uranium mill sites, including tailings sampling and assessment, radiological surveys, windblown assessment, surface water and groundwater impact assessment, and technical oversight during reclamation.  Our professionals maintain current MSHA-training certification for both surface and underground operations. 

Western Water & Land offers a broad spectrum of services for the mining industry including: 

• Comprehensive Permit Application (e.g. Probable Hydrologic Consequence, Cumulative Hydrologic Impact Assessments, etc.)

• Design and Implementation of Hydrological Monitoring Programs.

• Acid Mine Drainage Assessment

•  Mine Water Management

• Treatment Design & Installation

• Mine Waste and Tailings Characterization and Impact Assessment

• Slope Stability and Geologic Hazards Analysis

• Compliance Monitoring and Reporting

• Radiological Surveys

• Mine Closure

• Geologic Mapping

• Reclamation Plan Preparation Management and Oversight

Water Resource Planning & Protection Services

        Western Water & Land provides an integrated approach to perform water resource evaluation, development, and protection studies for clients ranging from industries seeking expansion of their facilities to state and local agencies involved with planning, development, and allocation of water resources.  From water quality analysis, erosion control, and wellhead protection programs through contaminant removal and treatment, Western Water & Land is an experienced firm in providing cost-effective ways to protect and manage water resources.

 Western Water & Land provides the following water resource planning and protection services: 

• Water Resource Management Planning

• Watershed Monitoring Program Development and Implementation

•  Source Water Assessment and Protection

• Assessment of Surface Water/Groundwater Resource Availability and Quality

• Point Source & Non-Point Source Assessment

•  Evaluation, Design, and Construction of Artificial Recharge and Recovery Systems

• Evaluation of Potential Risks to Water Supplies by Naturally or Human Induced Contamination

• Assessment and Design of Remedial Programs for Impacted Water Sources 

•  Regulatory Permitting Assistance

Water Rights & Plans for Augmentation Services

        Western Water & Land routinely performs water rights assessments, applications, and changes for personal property owners, land developers and mining operations in western Colorado.  Our services are commonly performed in coordination with local water attorneys with whom we have established strong working relationships.  Our experience and technical expertise are used to ensure that our clients’ interests are protected throughout the assessment process. 

        Our hydrologists maintain up-to-date knowledge of water right application and amendment requirements of the Colorado Division of Water Resources at both the state and water division level.  Recent drought conditions have led to significant changes in the requirements governing water rights and water management in our area.  In addition, we work to streamline state reviews and approvals by working with the appropriate regulatory personnel and the state’s third party consultants at critical decision points during the process.

Western Water & Land provides the following water rights and plans for augmentation services: 

• Water Rights Inventory

• Water Rights Application

• Water Supply Assessment

• Consumptive Use Projections

• Historical Consumptive Use Calculations

•  Stream Depletion Analysis

•  Impact Analysis

• Replacement Source Evaluation

• Water Balance Assessment

• Water Management and Monitoring

• Reservoir Storage and storage right application

• Preparation of Substitute Water Supply Plans And Plans for Augmentation 

Abandoned Mine Land Services

        The professionals at Western Water & Land have conducted more than 20 abandoned/inactive mine lands assessments throughout western Colorado and eastern Utah.  The assessments have ranged from site-specific studies at individual mine sites to comprehensive studies involving numerous mines within a district.  The assessments are commonly performed in accordance with removal action requirements specified in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 

        A conceptual site model is developed to identify source areas and the media, receptors, and pathways of primary concern.  A comprehensive site investigation is performed to characterize the site, assess the nature and extent of contamination in the media of concern, and obtain the information needed to support a streamlined evaluation of the human-health and ecological threats posed by the site. 

        The media commonly sampled during the investigation include mine water drainage, area springs and seeps, receiving streams and tributaries, waste rock comprising the mine dump, tailings where mill operations were associated with the mine, sediment deposited along drainage courses downstream of the mine, and vegetation growing on and around the site.  Where nearby residents may be impacted by the mines, water samples are also collected from domestic wells and springs, soil and crop samples are collected from irrigated lands, and soil and produce samples are collected from gardens and orchards.  At former uranium mines and mills, characterization activities include radiological surveys, radium-226 correlation, and radon monitoring.  Streamlined risk evaluations are completed by comparing sample results to stream standards, risk-based benchmarks established by US EPA and state agencies, and risk management criteria developed by the US BLM for mine sites   Potential technologies for risk reduction are screened and applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) are identified.  Retained technologies are assembled to form potential removal action alternatives for reduction of human-health and ecological threats.  The potential alternatives are analyzed and compared based on effectiveness, implementability, and cost.

Western Water & Land offers a broad spectrum of abandoned mine lands services, including:

• Site Safety and Health Plan Preparation

•  Conceptual Site Model Development

• Conceptual Hydrogeologic Model Development

• Surface Water & Groundwater Characterization

• Mine Drainage Assessment

• Mine Waste and Tailings Characterization

• Springs and Seeps Delineation

• Surface and Underground Mapping

• Radiological Surveys

•  Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling & Surveys

• Human Health and Ecological Risk Evaluation

•  Technologies Screening and Alternatives Analysis

•  ARARs Identification

•  Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Document Preparation

•  Reclamation Design

•  Reclamation Management and Oversight

Permitting & Environmental Compliance Services

         Western Water & Land’s experienced professionals have been providing permitting and environmental compliance services to our public and private sector clients in the region for more than 16 years.  We understand that permitting and environmental compliance are critical components to ongoing facility operations, reclamation/remediation programs, and development projects.  Our services are founded on sound knowledge of environmental regulations and requirements and strong working relationships with environmental and water attorneys and the regulatory community. 

        Western Water & Land offers the following permitting and environmental compliance services:   

• Mine Permit Application, Amendment, and Technical Revision
• Well Permitting
• NPDES Compliance and Reporting
• NEPA Compliance
• Compliance Program Development
• Compliance Monitoring
• RCRA/CERCLA Compliance and Reporting
• Wetlands Delineation
• 404 Permitting

Soil & Sediment Assessment Services

 
     Western Water & Land provides comprehensive soil and sediment investigations and assessments, with services ranging from study design to implementation to data analysis and reporting.  Our professionals have conducted soil and sediment programs at a variety of facilities and sites throughout Colorado and Eastern Utah for both industry and government.  We provide geotechnical assessments for physical property analysis as well as geochemical characterizations designed to assess the nature and extent of chemical contamination at contaminated sites. 

       We work with our clients to design cost-efficient investigative programs and handle all aspects of the assessment, including investigative planning, analytical program development, field implementation, quality assurance/quality control, safety and health, data management and interpretation, and reporting.  Our professionals are trained in the latest sampling and monitoring techniques and each maintains current HAZWOPER certification in accordance with OSHA 1910.120.

Western Water & Land offers the following soil and sediment assessment services: 

• Investigative Strategy and Plan Development

• Analytical and Geotechnical Sampling

• Drilling Oversight

• Analytical Program Development

• Analytical Data Validation and Interpretation

• Geologic Interpretation and Mapping

• Data Management and Reporting

• Contaminant Assessment and Treatment

• Radiological Surveys

•  Lithologic Logging and Classification

Stormwater Management Services

 Environmental Program Management Services