Verdantas is designing improvements to a diversion on Plum Creek owned and operated by Castle Rock Water that has a severely limited discharge capacity due to significant sediment loads in the creek.

A water diversion structure on Plum Creek, near Sedalia, Colorado, is a critical component of the Town of Castle Rock’s long-term water plan to maximize the use of their local renewable resources. This structure, designed to capture up to 26 million gallons per day (MGD), faces significant challenges due to excessive sediment loads, which severely limit its discharge capacity.

Sedimentation is a common issue for diversions on channels with high sediment loads. The Plum Creek Diversion is no exception, with sediment accumulation drastically reducing its operational efficiency. Verdantas is currently assisting Castle Rock Water with the successful development of an alternatives analysis for upgrades/improvements to the Plum Creek Diversion Structure. Our goal is to mitigate challenges associated with sediment and debris

Our expert staff has been responsible for:

• Sediment sampling and survey of the creek
• Hydrologic analyses and hydraulic modeling
• Investigation of the sediment-transport characteristics of the site
• Development of design alternatives, including associated costs and permitting requirements

In conjunction with the design process, the Verdantas team has also been actively working closely with Castle Rock Water’s O&M team to help identify and evaluate operational changes that have resulted in successful improvements to the capacity of the diversion.