As part of our role in managing water resources, creek flow and efficiency is addressed every few years. This winter we’ve undertaken the surveying of Ditch 14, also known as Lambert Creek, as well as its branch ditches to stay up to date on what water’s doing and why. We use Hydrology & hydraulic modeling (H & H) to see how the system is functioning and identify any areas that may require repair or maintenance to return the system to its as originally constructed condition.  If the original condition isn’t possible, we assess what improved condition is feasible.

The survey involves walking the length of the creek to record ditch bottom elevations and elevation cross sections. These create a profile of the ditches, which let us identify any blockages or problem areas.

 Above: An example of a ditch cross section, sourced from Northern Plains Drainage Systems, LTD. The final product for the Lambert Creek survey will be similar. 

Once these elevations are recorded, they are entered into the H&H modeling software (XP-SWMM) with a variety of other information on stormwater infrastructure, ponds, or other holding structures such as weirs or dams. The more information that is entered into the model, the more accurate the model will be.

After reviewing historic documentation and the survey data, the end result will be a model of Ditch 14 and its branch ditches in their As Constructed and Subsequently Improved Condition (ACSIC).

Using the results, a final engineer’s report will be generated in late summer, 2018 to list potential projects for repairing and improving the ditch system.