Fall 2016 | Volume 86| No. 4
The Ground-Breaking of Corpus Christi’s New Harbor Bridge
2016 SWIFT Funding Distinguished Student Chapter Award La Fruta Dam Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Austin, Texas PERMIT NO. 879
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
On the Cover: Groundbreaking Ceremony on Corpus Christi’s New Harbor Bridge. Photo credit Kevin Stillman, TxDOT. TEXAS SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Crespin Guzman PE OPERATIONS MANAGER: Elizabeth R. Greenwood COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: Annemarie Gasser 1524 S. Interstate 35 Suite 180 Austin, Texas 78704 Phone: 512-472-8905 E-mail: office@texasce.org Website: www.texasce.org 2015–2016 OFFICERS PRESIDENT: Audra N. Morse PhD, PE PAST PRESIDENT: Curtis B. Beitel PE PRESIDENT ELECT: Craig B. Thompson PE VP-EDUCATIONAL: Brian D. Bresler PE VP-EDUCATIONAL ELECT: Brett A. Pope PE VP-PROFESSIONAL: M. Isabel Vasquez PE VP-PROFESSIONAL ELECT: Travis N. Attanasio PE VP-TECHNICAL: Edward M. Penton PE VP-TECHNICAL ELECT: Oscar Lopez PE TREASURER: Curtis R. Steger PE DIRECTORS AT LARGE SENIOR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: John A. Tyler PE SECOND YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Melanie D. Gavlik PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Tyler P. Dube PE FIRST YEAR DIRECTOR AT LARGE: Kathryn S. Osborn EIT SECTION DIRECTORS Travis S. Isaacson PE, Austin Branch Robert Lys Jr PE, Brazos Branch Russell R. Carter PE, Caprock Branch John A. Simcik PE, Central Texas Branch Anthony B. Gavlik PE, Corpus Christi Branch Anthony D. Luce PE, Dallas Branch Yvonne C. Conde-Curry PE, El Paso Branch Kimberly K. Cornett PE, Fort Worth Branch Joseph W. Shehan PE, High Plains Branch Paul A. Voiles PE, Houston Branch Russell W. Gibson PE, Northeast Texas Branch Dora E. Marin-Robles EIT, Rio Grande Valley Branch Kara J. Heasley PE, San Antonio Branch Robert C. Hickman PE, Southeast Texas Branch Brady M. Standford EIT, West Texas Branch
In This Issue
Fall 2016 | Volume 86 | Number 4 Calendar of Events 4 CPD Opportunities 4 President’s Message 5 Message From the Executive Director
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Report From Region 6 7 Student’s Center 8 Meet Your Board Members 2016 SWIFT Funding
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Cover Story: Corpus Christi’s New Harbor Bridge
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October Webinar: Water for Texas
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Distinguished Student Chapter Award
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Legislative News 26 ASCE News 28 Corpus Christi’s La Fruta Dam
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Business Directory 30
ASCE - Region 6 Kenneth B. Morris PE Director and Board of Governors Chair 2013-2016 Jeremy P. Stahle PE Governor—Oklahoma Section 2013-2016 Daniel B. Hartman PE, F.ASCE Governor—Texas Section 2014-2017 Jerry B. Paz PE Governor—New Mexico Section 2015-2018 David F. J. Calabuig, Sr. PE Governor—Texas Section 2015–2018 Sean P. Merrell PE Governor—Appointed (Texas Section) 2013-2016
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Calendar of Events
CPD Opportunities
Texas Section Meetings
To enhance communications between ASCE and ASCE’s Regions, Sections, and Branches, Geographic Services is pleased to advise you of the following seminars scheduled in our area:
ASCE Presidents and Sept. 18-19, 2016 Governors Forum - Reston, Virginia
Addison
CECON 2016 - San Marcos Outgoing Board Meeting ASCE Texas Section Business Meeting and Officer Installation Incoming Board Meeting
Sept. 21 - 23, 2016
Nov 12-15, 2017 Geo Panam Unsaturated Soils
Sept. 21 7AM Sept. 23 11:30 AM
Houston May 1-4, 2017
ASCE Annual Convention - Portland, Oregon
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2016
Executive Committee Meeting - Austin
Jan. 13, 2017
Offshore Technology Conference Houston, Texas
Sept. 23 1 PM
Texas Civil Engineer Deadlines
Detailed descriptions of seminars are available at www.asce.org/continuing_education/
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
@TEXASCETweets
President’s Message Fall- A time of tr ansitions The heat of the summer lessens, and the days get shorter, so the air begins to feel a little cooler. Leaves change color (well, I am calling brown a color) and fall from the trees. Students head back to school excited to make new friends, meet new teachers, and learn new things. Fall represents a transition as the Section leadership changes. A new cadre of officers take the helm to lead the Section into the future. Passions are high and expectations are higher. I love this time of year because I look forward to the ideas implemented by the new officers. I am excited to see the opportunities arise that ensures the Section’s relevance into the future. Of course, the calendar highlights the marching of time and the ever-changing activities of the Section. The fourth CECON is this fall and the planning committee is building on the success of previous years to host a quality program on Leadership in Infrastructure Solutions. The Section is planning for another exciting Student Symposium to be held in El Paso in March 2017. The Texas Section Infrastructure Report Card will be completed this fall, and a Drive-In will be held in Austin during Spring 2017 to advocate for infrastructure funding in Texas using the updated Infrastructure Report Card. The 2017-2021 Strategic planning process is coming to a close, and the Strategic Plan will be voted on by the Texas Section Board of Direction at CECON. The Strategic plan called My STEP: Service through Technical, Educational and Professional Experiences, has identified the strengths and areas of improvement of the Section. The resultant strategic initiatives and goals were generated for future Section leadership to address in the race to remain relevant to our constituents. The Technical Initiatives seek to ensure the proficiency in the practice of civil engineering in a changing world and develop shared knowledge leading to continuous improvements in civil engineering practice. The Educational Initiatives are to define the needs of 21st-century civil engineering education for professionals, university students, and K-12 students while emphasizing the history of civil engineers in shaping infrastructure for the future. The Professional Initiatives focus on strengthening advocacy for the civil engineering profession, ASCE, and the Texas Section while providing services to professionals and students so that they find ASCE membership an investment in their future for themselves and their company. The Strategic
Planning process has developed goals that through service will strengthen the Section and the civil engineering profession. The key to the Strategic Plan is an approach to openness allowing officers to Audra N. Morse PhD, PE adjust for unknown opportunities Texas Section President or challenges that may face the Section during the next five years. Adaptability and flexibility are keys to implementing the Strategic Plan. Thanks to Vik Verma for leading the Strategic Planning process for the last year and a half and thank you to everyone who participated in any of the Strategic Planning meetings and conference calls. Your voices were heard, ideas included and the document represents a collaborative effort consisting of the best ideas of our members. With respect to challenges, our profession is challenged daily by technical advancements, a fluctuating economy, ups and downs in infrastructure funding and attacks on the education process responsible for preparing the next generation of civil engineers. Even with all the uncertainty we may have as we head into the future, I still believe it is a good time to be a civil engineer. States and cities value our work and the infrastructure solutions we provide. Moreover, I think the upcoming Dream Big video (to be released in February 2017) will highlight the prestige of our profession and inspire the next generation of civil engineers. Of course, transitions include endings. I would personally like to thank the 2015-2016 Board Members, committee chairs, and members who have made this a wonderful year. It has been a pleasure to serve with you. Thank you for your passion for civil engineering, ASCE, and the Texas Section. Of course, the activities of the Section would be limited without the constant support provided by the Texas Section staff—Cres Guzman, Elizabeth Greenwood and Annemarie Gasser. Thank you for all that you do in front of and behind the scenes to keep the Section running while enabling the volunteer members to fulfill their duties.
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Message From The Executive Director Change is constant, become a significant contributor... The Section leadership is already finalizing the new Strategic Plan for 2017-2021 and along with Crespin Guzman PE it come some new and exciting Executive Director initiatives to better position the Texas Section as the statewide premiere civil engineering organization. Please consider being part of its development effort as we will need new and different ideas on how to make this happen. Just as we have seen the maturation process of CECON over the last three years and the Student Symposium in its inaugural year, I suspect that similar growth and change will continue for the Section. However, this implies that willing volunteers will step up to the plate to champion these initiatives. So perhaps you can become one of those members! If you attended the recent Leadership Development Weekend exercises, then you might already have an idea of where you might want to invest some of your time and talents going forward with ASCE and the Texas Section. You stand to gain so much in your professional
development from year to year just by being involved and engaged with Section/Branch level activities as mentioned above. If you are already on the leadership path with your Branch, you are already laying the groundwork for your greatest moments yet to be realized. Considering that the areas of interest for the Section focus on Professional, Educational and Technical activities then there are plenty of opportunities for any Section member to engage their interests with committees or task groups. 2017 will also have a legislative session in Austin and which opens the door for a number of possible advocacy events that the Section leadership is contemplating. Keep an eye out for the CECON 2016 Legislative Panel and Reception as a prelude to more Section activity during the legislative session. You can also expect that the Infrastructure Report Card Update will be available for use during the Legislative session. You can pretty much pick and choose where you can spend some of your time sharpening up your professional development tools. Contact the Section office and let us know what you want to do and we’ll be very happy to guide you as best we can in a direction that will provide some challenging, yet meaningful activity.
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
report from region 6
Kenneth B. Morris PE, PTOE Region 6 Director
Region 6 represents three Sections (Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas), 19 Branches, and 22 Student Chapters. We are one of the largest regions in terms of populations, and we are definitely one of the most complex in terms of the number of geographic units represented.
This is my last article for Texas Civil Engineer as Region 6 Director. As such, I would like to give a recap of some of the past three years and future issues affecting Region 6 and the Texas Section. At the end of 2013, Pat Natale announced his retirement as Executive Director after 12 years. The Board of Direction was tasked with finding a new Executive Director. Randy Over was elected ASCE President for 2014, Martha Juch ended her term as Region 6 Director and Ken Morris was elected to fill her office. Sean Merrell became the At-Large Governor from Texas and Jack Furlong was the Texas Section President for 2012-2013. The Texas Section celebrated its 100th Anniversary at the OMNI Convention Center in Dallas and the ASCE Annual meeting was held in Charlotte, NC. At the end of the year, the Region 6 Board of Governors approved a policy to provide stipends for student members to attend MRLC meetings. The Board of Direction makes a concerted effort to fund “Dream Big” at a cost of $15 million. The Infrastructure Report Card was completed for several states in Region 6. In 2014, Tim Newton was Texas Section President 20132014. The Region 6 Board of Governors attended the MRLC in St. Louis where there was about 65 attendees from Region 6 including students. Region 6 contributed funding for the MRLC as it does every year. The Legislative Fly-In was held in March with the emphasis on the reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund. There was a strong delegation from Texas attending to meet with their legislators. We had to settle for a continuing resolution that year but agreed to work toward the legislation in 2015. The Region 6 Board attended the 2014 Student Conference and Symposium in Tyler helping to judge the concrete canoe competitions. Region 6 made a donation to the winning concrete canoe team to help with their trip to nationals. The University of Texas at Tyler was given the Region 6 Outstanding Student Chapter Award. A new Student Chapter was approved at LaTourneau University. In the fall, we attended the CECON in Galveston holding our Board of Governors meeting there. Struggling Branches became an important topic for Region 6 and we helped the Southeast Branch financially to help restore membership. The ASCE International Conference was held in Panama to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal.
The Board of Direction selected Tom Smith as the new Executive Director for ASCE. The Board of Direction started an update of the national strategic plan by reviewing the three strategic initiatives. The Board emphasized the Vision 2025 as the basis for strategic initiatives. Robert (Bob) Stevens PE from Dallas became ASCE President for 2015 and Curtis Beitel became Texas Section President for 2014-2015. Nancy Cline PE finished her term as Governor and Dan Hartman was elected to fill her office. And in 2014 we unexpectedly lost a good friend, New Mexico Governor Elivido Diniz. In 2015, Texas Section President Curtis Beitel PE emphasized the importance of the STEM program and how ASCE Student Chapters are a very important part of our future. Region 6 Board attended the MRLC on January 30-31 in Houston. The Region 6 Board made a $2000 contribution to the YMC/Houston Branch as seed money for the MRLC Host committee and also made a contribution to the Texas A&M Student Chapter. At the annual Legislative Fly-In, ASCE again pitched for the reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund. This time Congress passed a 5-year funding package call FAST-ACT. The Region 6 Board established the “Elvidio Diniz Memorial Scholarship Fund” and made the first contribution. The rededication of Boundary Marker #1 was held near El Paso on the Texas/New Mexico Border with Mexico. A student paper competition was held between UTEP and NMSU Student Chapters for a $1000 stipend. Both Chapters were given a stipend for their excellent presentations. President-Elect Mark Woodson and several Region 6 and Texas Section Board members attended. The Texas Section received $3000 from Region 6 for a historical document archiving system. The ASCE International Convention was held in New York City on October 11-14, 2015. The Board of Direction approved a new reimbursement policy that allows governors to be reimbursed by ASCE National instead of taking funds out of the region budget. In 2016, Audra Morse became the next Texas Section President and set an agenda of having passion for your profession and emphasizing the importance of civil engineers to society by being leaders in their communities. An ASCE Board of Direction meeting was Continued on page 27
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Student’s Center
Tyler P. Dube PE First Year Director at Large
Copyright Jay Garris, Courtesy Chi Epsilon NHQ
ASCE Student Chapters are gearing up for the 20162017 academic year. Each group typically undergoes changes in Chapter leadership, membership attrition due to graduations, and conducts long-term planning exercises for Fall and Spring initiatives. Some aim to take on new challenges; others strive to learn from the highs and lows of the previous year as new leaders strike out their own path. Here are some of the highlights from three chapters around the state. The University of Tex as at Arlington By Palash M. K achhy This summer, University of Texas at Arlington ASCE Student Chapter saw a change of leadership for almost all positions. What makes it better is that the team comprises both veteran officers who have previously held other officer positions and new freshmen who became more involved. In May, we received the 2016 ASCE Distinguished Student Chapter Award for Region 6 and in the coming year, we hope to continue the legacy left by our previous officers. We held multiple meetings over the summer to prepare for the upcoming academic year and have come with some overwhelming changes that we feel will enhance our functioning. To begin with, we revised and updated our chapter’s by-laws and switched to online membership form as opposed to the paper form we have used in the past; this, we believe, will not only help with conservation of resources but also, increase our membership application rates. Additionally, we partnered with the Chi Epsilon Student Chapter at UTA
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(XE) to give a fresh look to the Chi Epsilon and ASCE offices; we made a ‘Break-Room’ with a couch, TV, snacks and drinks for our members to relax after studies, and a ‘Think-Tank Room’ which is equipped with 2 whiteboards, 3 study desks, and computers for students to get a dedicated room to do group projects related to civil engineering. Another major step we are taking this Fall is to start review sessions for CE classes. We are still in the process of establishing the idea and have decided to hold review sessions for sophomore level classes as a pilot run. Further, our ASCE Chapter Ambassador has been to about 15 orientation fairs over the summer to generate awareness about the Chapter and recruit both incoming freshmen and transferring students. Our Steel Bridge and Concrete Canoe teams have also experienced new leadership over the summer. This year, the Steel Bridge team is planning to get their own welding equipment to enable on-site fabrication; this will save time and teach students how to weld. Our Concrete Canoe team is gearing up for a new and lighter canoe and plan to reuse the old canoe as an aggregate for the new one. To make things more interesting, the Canoe team plans to take the canoe to a nearby lake for all the new members to take a ride. Both teams are looking for donations/sponsors for fabrication and, most importantly, to be able to take as many members to the competition as possible; they believe that it will provide the new members with the much-needed exposure to take over the command of their respective teams in the coming years.
Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
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On the social side, the Dallas and Fort Worth Branch Younger Members along with the members of UTA ASCE held a retreat at the Fort Worth Panther Pavilion, which had country music and food. Everyone relaxed, listened to music and enjoyed one another’s company! Our officers also went to the DFW joint Branch meeting where they attended workshops and an ethics seminar, which was accompanied by a collaborative lunch. We announced of our new sponsorship packet – the XE and ASCE have come together to make one sponsorship packet and the funds received will be used by each organization as required. We plan to keep in touch with EITs and PEs from DFW branches and our fellow Student Chapter from nearby Universities throughout the coming academic year. Tex as Tech University By Eva Schexnider The past year was a roller coaster, but our Chapter is extremely proud and honored to have been able to host the first Student Symposium combining the competitions and classes on professionalism for the Texas-Mexico Regional Competitions! As the summer comes to an end, the Texas Tech University ASCE Student Chapter is diligently finishing preparations for the upcoming semester. We now plan to focus on membership recruitment and increasing active membership. We have many exciting events scheduled, such as our third bi-annual Skeet and Trap Shoot Fundraiser, a bonfire
and canoeing social, working with local middle and high school students, and more. After placing second in Concrete Canoe, and being disqualified for load in Steel Bridge, we also hope to improve our competition placement in 2017, and look forward to seeing everyone in El Paso! The University of Tex as at El Paso By Martin Chavarin and Alejandr a Escajeda Following the 2016 ASCE Texas Section Student Symposium, the ASCE Student Chapter here at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has been hard at work planning the 2017 Symposium which is to be held here at home in El Paso, Texas. The symposium planning committee has held monthly meetings in which we discuss our progress and assign tasks to the committee members which are due at the following meetings. The preliminary schedule and budget have been finalized, and currently, we are working on booking the venues. The team still has a long way to go, but we are excited for the Symposium and the new things our Chapter will be able to bring to the table. The UTEP Student Chapter has also been hard at work trying to recruit freshmen members. Throughout the summer we have held tabling sessions in partnership with new student orientation. We believe that early Continued on page 21
Texas Tech University Student Chapter members at Canoe practice by Eva Schexnider
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Meet Your Board Members VP-Educational: Brian Bresler PE Brian is currently serving as the Vice President Educational. He is employed as an Engineer at Freese and Nichols in Corpus Christi. Q. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? A. I am grateful for my family. I have been married for 22 years to my wife Jackie and we have three sons, Braedon 16, Benton 11, and Bryson 7, plus Peanut, Sparky, and Jacob our four-legged hairy children. Q. What is your favorite part of or top interest in the civil engineering profession? A. I have been interested in dams from a young age, because I traveled to explore and fish below many of the large dams in the state as a child and I always found these large civil works fascinating. Now that I work on dam projects at Freese and Nichols, Inc., I am fascinated every day, which is a great place to be mentally. Q. What concept in civil engineering have you found especially hard to grasp? A. Politics Q. What do you do to de-stress? A. I surf, fish, and hunt, as well as BBQ and garden. Q. Have you completed any physical challenges? (i.e. marathons, iron man, swam across the English Channel) A. During Hurricane Rita, immediately after Katrina back in 2005, I surfed large hollow waves with approximately 20-foot faces in South Padre, the largest waves I have surfed in Texas. You could drive a truck through those barrels. Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? If you could travel anywhere in Texas, where would it be? A. Machu Pichu – it just seems like such an incredible feat of engineering…I want to see those centuries old roads that still function…wish we could duplicate that life cycle today! Colorado (parts of which used to be owned by Texas!), as I love to snow ski and fly fish. Q. Why did you choose to become a civil engineer? A. I taught school for ten years prior to going back to get my BS in Civil Engineering. I was tired of teaching school, and I was needing more money for my family than I could make teaching, and I was trying to decide what to do one day as I was driving down the road. I kept hitting potholes, and I realized that this profession could not be outsourced, plus I was a frustrated designer
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anyway, having designed and built furniture for years and having remodeled some homes, so it seemed like a great fit, and it is! Q. If you could bring one fictional character to life, who would it be, and why? A. Jessica Rabbit, oh…never mind Q. What is your biggest achievement? (in civil engineering or in life) A. The largest project I have worked on, which I have been working on for almost 10 years, is the 41-mile, 54-inch Mary Rhodes Phase 2 Pipeline that transfers the Garwood water right owned by the City of Corpus Christi on the Lower Colorado River to City of Corpus Christi pump station and pipeline facilities at Lake Texana near Edna. From there the water joins the existing 107-mile, 60-inch Mary Rhodes Pipeline that pumps Lake Texana water to Corpus Christi. The Garwood water right was the oldest water right on the Lower Colorado and purchased by the City in 1996, prior to SB-1 in 1997, which contained provisions discouraging interbasin transfers by making transferred water junior in right. The City of Corpus Christi’s development of the water right for approximately $150 million has helped to guarantee operating water for approximately $45 billion in local industrial development along the Port of Corpus Christi in about a dozen new facilities. It feels good to have helped to provide this water source to help develop
Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Kathryn S. Osborn EIT First Year Director at Large
the community and provide good paying jobs for so many people. Q. Best piece of advice you have received: A. Be humble and stay grounded V P-Professiona l: Isabel Vasquez PE Isabel is currently serving as the Vice President Professional. She is employed as a Vice-President at Huitt-Zollars, Inc., where she has worked for more than 20 years. Q. What was the weirdest/ hardest/most interesting interview question you have been asked? How was your answer? A. “Isabel if you don’t get this job, will you become the office manager at the Huitt-Zollars El Paso Office”. I said yes, I probably would. I thought it was a funny question to ask me, but it gave me some insight on what the interviewer was thinking. Q. Given the choice of anyone in the world, past, present, or future, whom would you want as a dinner guest? A. Jesus Christ. Q. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? A. My mother. Q. What is your favorite part of or top interest in the civil engineering profession? A. I enjoy project management of public works projects. Q. What concept in civil engineering have you found especially hard to grasp? A. Calculus Q. Have you completed any physical challenges? A. The Mighty Mujer Mini-Triathlon in El Paso, Texas. It is an all-female race featuring a 300 yard swim, a 9.3 mile bike, and a 2 mile run. My daughter had done the race before, and she asked me to join her that year. The race was at the end of April, and
I started training in January. When I started training, I did not have a bike. I bought the bike in March. I had not ridden a bike since I was in high school, and I did not know how to ride a bike with various speeds. The bike route included steep grades and hills (cardiac hill). My daughter took me to the park and taught me how to ride the bike. My goal was to finish the race and not fall off the bike. I was successful. I completed the triathlon in 2013. I was 54 years old. Q. If you could travel anywhere in Texas, where would it be? A. San Antonio. I really like the River Walk, and I would like to go to Fiesta. Q. What teacher inspired you the most, and how or why? A. My high school math teacher. I loved how he taught math. Q. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last year? A. To accept, enjoy, and have peace with my life. Q. Were you the former winner of any previous competitions? A. I was selected as the Engineer of the Year, in El Paso, in 2011. I was also selected as a UTEP Gold Nugget in the same year. Q. Why did you choose to become a civil engineer? A. When I was a sophomore in High School, my advisor asked me if I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to major in. I told him I wanted to go to college and I was interested in teaching. I asked him what else he
thought I could major in. He said I was good at math and science, so I could major in Engineering. I asked him how the salaries for teachers and engineers compared. Engineering had higher salaries, so I chose engineering. Civil Engineering seemed the best match for me. Q. What is your biggest achievement? (in civil engineering or in life) A. In Civil Engineering, I served as the Senior Project Manager for a $ 4.8 B infrastructure project in Fort Bliss. It compared to designing a city the size of Rhode Island. In life, it is being a good mother. Q. If a Modern Wonders of Texas list was created, what would you put on it? A. The Fort Bliss billion dollar expansion. A city the size of Rhode Island was designed and built in 5 years. Q. Best piece of advice you have received: A. Be honest, hardworking, and have a good attitude.
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2016 SWIFT Funding Water Supply Projects Closer to Implementation
The 2016 cycle of SWIFT financial assistance includes financing for state water plan projects across the state.
Since its creation in 1957, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has utilized a wide range of financial assistance programs as part of its mission to develop and manage the state’s water resources. Most recently, the TWDB started administering the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT)*, which was established by the Texas Legislature and voters in 2013 to fund projects in the state water plan. The financial foundation of the program was created through a $2 billion appropriation from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, which will be leveraged with revenue bonds over the next 50 years to finance approximately $27 billion in water supply projects. The first cycle of SWIFT program financing was completed in 2015 and provided commitments for financial assistance totaling $3.8 billion. The second cycle holds just as much promise—in July the Board approved commitments of $759,255,000 in financial
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assistance for 15 water plan projects across the state. In its first two years, the SWIFT program has provided a total of $4.6 billion in financial assistance. The 15 projects in this cycle, all recommended in the 2017 State Water Plan (adopted in May and available online at https://2017.texasstatewaterplan.org/statewide, are as varied as the project locations themselves. The projects include aquifer storage and recovery, an off-channel storage facility, water meter replacements, transmission pipelines, capacity expansions, well fields, reclaimed water, and land and water rights acquisition. Notably, five of the projects are for conservation and reuse, and one is for agriculture. From El Paso to East Texas, and * The SWIFT program includes two funds, the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas (SWIRFT). Revenue bonds for the program are issued through SWIRFT.
Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Peter Lake Texas Water Development Board Member Follow Peter @twdb_peter
North Texas to Hidalgo County, these projects illustrate the impact of the TWDB’s financial assistance programs across the state. But there is more work to be done—planning groups recommended approximately 2,500 specific projects in the 2017 State Water Plan. The total capital cost required to implement all of these projects is $63 billion, with project sponsors anticipating they will need approximately $36.2 billion in state financial assistance. Needless to say, there are a substantial number of projects that could still benefit from SWIFT assistance. The abridged application process for the 2017 cycle of SWIFT funding will open this winter, and all sponsors of state water plan projects are encouraged to apply.
Texas Water Development Board, we could not be more appreciative of the active involvement by civil engineers in helping to ensure a positive future for generations to come. To learn more about the financial assistance programs administered by the Texas Water Development Board, visit our website at www.twdb.texas.gov. In addition, everyone with an interest in Texas water is invited to the Water for Texas 2017 conference, which will be held January 23–25, 2017, in Austin, Texas. More information is available at http://waterfortexas.twdb.texas.gov/. Peter Lake was appointed to the Texas Water Development Board by Governor Greg Abbott in December 2015. A native of Tyler, Texas, Lake currently resides in Austin.
As important as SWIFT is to the state of Texas, it is just one of several TWDB programs that help finance critical water supply and wastewater infrastructure projects for The Texas Water Development Board is the state agency that communities throughout Texas. For example, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, has committed approximately $11.8 billion in financing financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the for nearly 1,100 projects over the last 10 years through citizens of Texas. its various programs, such as SWIFT, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). These programs benefit communities of all The Texas Water Development Board provides financial assistance for projects population sizes and in all regions such as water intake pump stations. Pictured: construction of a reinforced of the state. Of the approximately concrete raw water intake pump structure in El Cenizo (Webb County) to 1,100 projects, about 570 pump water from the Rio Grande River to a water treatment plant. commitments totaling $1.1 billion were made to rural cities (defined as 10,000 or less people), and about 240 commitments totaling $1.7 billion went to cities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000. Looking ahead to upcoming projects, the complete lists of DWSRF and CWSRF priority projects included in the 2017 Intended Use Plans (IUP) are available on the TWDB website at www.twdb.texas.gov/financial/ index.asp. Of the many experts and organizations that shepherd water management strategies through planning, acquisition, design, construction, and implementation, civil engineers are a key force. At the
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Harbor Bridge groundbreaking a ‘milestone’ for region
By Chris R amirez of the Caller-Times
Republished with permission, edited for content Original Article: http://www.caller.com/news/building-our-future/bridge/harborbridge-groundbreaking-a-milestone-for-region-391844f1-7209-427c-e0530100007f4e7a-389345601.html
Photo Courtesy Will van Overbeek, TxDOT
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Years of conference calls, sketches, PowerPoint presentations and sometimes high-volumed public hearings all come down to Monday, August 6. And a few shovels of dirt. Gov. Greg Abbott lead a host state and federal dignitaries that day in breaking ground on the long-awaited $898 million effort to replace the aging Harbor Bridge. “(It’s) the start of a great er a in Coastal Texas and the State of Texas which signifies progress and safety,” state Rep. Todd Hunter said of the project, describing it as a “monumental milestone” for the region. “It also shows how South Texas works together to accomplish goals.” The ceremony, at the Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, marked the kickoff what for what is known, on paper, as the U.S. 181 Harbor Bridge Replacement Project. The bowstring span was constructed between 1956 and 1959 to replace an old wooden drawbridge, connecting the Northside with North Beach. Over the years, it has evolved into the very calling card of Corpus Christi. State officials say the Napoleon hat-shaped bridge has outlived its design. It needs to be replaced for safety reasons, they say. The design they came up with, a modern cable-stayed bridge with alternating neon lights, up to six driving lanes and observation areas with telescopes for pedestrians. Jim Lee, the chief economist at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, said the project comes at the right time. Construction in the area has peaked; the Texas Workforce Commission reported a 16.3 percent decrease statewide in the volume of people who work mining and logging in the last year. Such people are often linked to the energy and industrial workforce. Many large-scale industrial plants in the Port of Corpus Christi are getting closer to completion. Among them are the TPCO America, a Chinese-run pipe-making plant, and the Voestalpine Texas iron ore plant. Located in Gregory, the plants are expected to be operational by the end of 2017 and the end of this year, respectively.
“This bridge project will pick up the current slack in the region’s overall construction activity,” Lee said. “And, given the declining mining sector and its impact on the machinery and marine manufacturing industries, the bridge construction now plays a key role in keeping our regional economy afloat at least in the short run.” When completed the replacement span will be the longest main span cable-stayed bridge in the U.S., measuring 1,655 feet. Only two others will be longer — the Skarnsund Bridge in Norway and the Panama Canal Crossing. Construction is expected to continue five years, until late spring of 2020. Challenges for those living near where much of the work will be done is far from over, however. A lot of the earth moving and other work will skirt Hillcrest, a historically black Northside neighborhood. The port authorized up to $20 million to buy properties in the neighborhood and to relocate residents who want to move. Many Hillcrest residents have mixed emotions about the ground breaking, said the Rev. Adam T. Carrington Sr., of the Brooks A.M.E. Worship Center. He chairs a 30-member community advisory board a community advisory board that is overseeing the transition for Hillcrest residents. While residents conceive the benefits associated with the bridge, they’re concerned about how it will get in the way, even override, their lifestyles. A total of 544 properties in the tiny enclave are eligible for relocation. More than 130 property owners have said they’re interested in selling. Many residents became fixtures at public hearings during the last three years. “At the end of the day, everyone understands the need for a safer bridge. We agree with that,” Carrington said. “But to have to move from a place where you’ve lived for 30, 40, 50 years? For a lot of people, (Hillcrest) is all they know. “It’s hard to just pick up and leave it.” The Harbor Bridge will be demolished after the new span is opened.
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Photo Courtesy Kevin Stillman, TxDOT
Port officials back the plan because it calls for a minimum 205-foot vertical clearance. That would enable larger cargo vessels through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The replacement project will create hundreds of jobs, while also helping businesses more efficiently transport goods throughout the region and state, Workforce Commissioner Ruth R. Hughs said. The Corpus Christireared lawyer was appointed last year to the threemember commission as the representative of the state’s 500,000 employers.
HARBOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT TIMELINE Monday, Aug. 8: Groundbreaking, construction of Interstate 37 interchange gets underway 2016-2020: Construction continues
She spoke in Corpus Christi during a one-day trade show hosted by Del Mar College’s Small Business Development Center.
Early spring 2020: Construction of Crosstown Expressway/I-37 starts
“This is a project that’s going to be a big deal to this area,” Hughs said. “It’s going to benefit a lot of people and businesses.”
Late spring 2020: Construction of new bridge complete, demolition of old Harbor Bridge begins
Twitter: @Caller_ChrisRam
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Spring 2021: Demolition of old Harbor Bridge complete Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Photo Courtesy Kevin Stillman, TxDOT
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New Items in ASCE Texas Section’s Store ASCE Texas Section Business Card Holder
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ASCE Texas Section Pen with Light and Stylus
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
October Webinar
Brian D. Bresler PE VP-Education
Water For Texas
Presenter: Kathleen Jackson, Board Member, Texas Water Development Board When: October 11, 2016 | Noon CT | 1 PDH Where: Your Computer or Phone Online registration is available until: 10/11/2016 http://www.texasce.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=861168&group= Kathleen Jackson will discuss the role of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the need to develop a wide range of solutions, promising technologies and collaborative partnerships with the engineering community to meet our current and future water supply and infrastructure needs. These ongoing efforts help ensure Texas maintains a healthy and vibrant economy. TWDB is actively engaged in community outreach across the state to address the common goal we all share, which is to develop water for Texas. Director Jackson will highlight TWDB financial assistance programs, including an update on implementing the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT). About the Presenter: Kathleen Jackson has a diverse background representing agricultural, environmental, industrial, and wholesalesupply interests, which includes developing and implementing water management strategies for Southeast Texas. As a registered professional engineer, Jackson served as public affairs manager for one of the world’s largest petroleum and petrochemical producers. Additionally, she was involved in production agriculture with her late husband, who ran a cattle operation and farmed rice. She served as a past member of the Lower Neches Valley Authority Board of Directors, the Texas Water Conservation Association, and participated on the Sabine and Neches Rivers Bay and Estuary Environmental Flows Assessment Program Stakeholders Committee. She is also a board member and past president of the Lamar Institute of Technology Foundation, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Beaumont, a member of the Texas Farm Bureau, past president of the American Cancer Society of North Jefferson County, and a past board member of Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle. Jackson received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University. Jackson has three children, sixth-generation Texans, who all reside and work in Texas.
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
The Embodiment of ASCE by Luis Sierra Continued from page 9
involvement in ASCE can benefit the students by relieving the nerves of starting higher education. It also allows students to begin networking with fellow civil engineering students and create relationships that will last them their entire college and professional career. A couple of the future events we are excited to take part in involve the leadership of the organization. We are planning two retreats for the new officers. One is an official retreat which invites all the organizations within the college of engineering at UTEP to network and take part in workshops in which we improve our leadership skills. The second is a more intimate retreat which will involve a hike through the beautiful Franklin Mountains. Here the new officers will get to know each other on a deeper level which will allow for a more cohesive and involved leadership within the organization.
accomplish all our goals and showcase the quality organization we have built at UTEP. ďƒł
One of our bigger events comes at the beginning of the school year. Minerpalooza is an event that the university hosts annually as a welcome to the students and the El Paso community alike. Minerpalooza is a fair where student organizations host booths with games such as the ones one may find at your local fair or carnival. There is also live music and food. This year the ASCE Chapter at UTEP will host a bean bag tossing game for all to enjoy. The event lasts all day, and ASCE members volunteer for shifts running the booths. Our team is extremely excited for this school year to begin. We have a very busy and arduous schedule upon us, but we are positive we can
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ASCE Texas
Student Symposium
March 2 - 4, 2017 El PASO, Texas Sponsorships Available Symposium@TexASCE.org
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
UTA wins Distinguished Chapter Award
Edward M. Penton PE VP Technical Texas Section UTA Practitioner Advisor
UTA ASCE Ambassador at Orientation Fair.
The University of Texas at Arlington ASCE Student Chapter has been awarded the 2016 ASCE Distinguished Chapter Award for Region 6 by the ASCE Committee on Student Members. This award is made annually to the most outstanding Student Organization in each of the ten regions. The Chapter was recommended for this award by the Committee on Student Members based on student activities. The Chapter built upon efforts from previous years by continuing participation in competitions like the Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge. They also conducted membership meeting and officer meetings. Members also gave to the community by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to complete home repairs. Their outreach also included activities and presentations to high school students about civil engineering and ASCE. It can take several years to produce lasting change in an organization. Luckily the chapter had the leadership of Derek Baker (President 2014-15), Prapti Sharma (President 2015-16), and Maria Frias (President 201617). Each has served multiple positions within the Chapter. Baker and Sharma have continued to serve in leadership roles before and after serving as President. “Having former Presidents remain active in the Chapter has provided us with continuity and strengthened our membership,” said Frias. She continued, “One of the most significant obstacles this year was to build upon what we had worked hard to establish in the last year. We made new events, such as ethics seminars and field trips, and added to some of the established ones, like orientation fairs.”
“Communication was essential, but we needed more to motivate the members,” said Baker. “As officers, we had to make the organization look like it was a fun one to be in (which it was), but also demonstrate that we are open to diversity in members. Not only does this widen our social circle, but it also attracts multitudes of students from different paths in life.” “I wanted to increase student participation within our chapter so we continued to host some events from previous year like dodge-ball,” explained Sharma. “We worked to increase student participation in the annual joint meeting with the Dallas and Fort Worth branches. For that we send out emails, advertised it during general body meeting and reminded friends of the meeting.” “We were successful in most of our events because of all the work the officers put in as well as the members,” said Sharma. “Also, without Dr. Williams’s guidance it would have been very difficult. I am very thankful to have him as our chapter advisor. He has guided us, motivated us and encouraged us to improve our chapter.” It is a top priority of all levels of ASCE to keep people engaged after graduation. “Younger Members can help a lot with this, as that was their original mission,” said Frias. “Also have more ‘national’ based retreats/conference, where Students and younger members can go to network and bridge the gap between being a student and a professional.” “Alumnus visits and participation in local student chapter events would also encourage students,” explained Prapti. “Mentorship program through local branches would be a very big advantage for students and younger members.”
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Officer Nominations Due Oct. 31
SHARE With Us!
The Texas Section is accepting officer nominations for the 2017 - 2018 year. Candidates must be Subscribing Members of the Texas Section and Directors at Large must be 35 years old or younger at time of election. Do you know an individual or many individuals that possess a passion for leadership in civil engineering and would be a great fit for any of the following officer positions at
We want to hear and share your good news! Tell us about promotions, new jobs or positions, accolades and awards.
the Section level?
President Elect VP-Professional Elect VP-Educational Elect VP-Technical Elect Directors At Large (2 positions) Contact R alph O’Quinn, r alph.oquinn@psiusa.com head of the Nominating Committee, to Learn more or make a nomination.
Regulatory Compliance NEPA Wetlands Archeology Endangered Species Geology TxDOT Categorical Exclusion SWPPP/Erosion Control Reservoir Permitting
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
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Legislative News TBPE NEWS – GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW TBPE BOARD MEMBERS Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Albert Cheng and Cathy Norwood and reappointed Lamberto “Bobby” Balli to the TBPE Board for terms set to expire September 26, 2021. Albert Cheng of Houston is a public health analyst for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services. Previously, he served as the manager of Voters for the Harris County Tax Assessor Collector & Voter Registrar and as deputy regional director for U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. He is a former community advisory board member for the University of Texas Health Science Center for Clinical and Transitional Sciences. Cheng received a Bachelor of Science in political science fron the University of Houston. Cathy Norwood PE of Midland is a senior consulting engineer for Hickman, McClaine & Assosiates, Inc. and holds a professional engineer license from the State of Texas. She is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and served as its past chairman for the Permian Basin Section Reservoir Study Group. Additionally, she was past chairman of the Midland Chamber of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers and former board member of the Midland Symphony Guild, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Leadership Midland. Norwood received a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from Texas Tech University. Lamberto “Bobby” Balli PE of San Antonio is vice president and director of client services for CP&Y, Inc. In his first term on the TBPE, he served as the License Committee chair and was recently elected as vice chair. He serves nationally on several committees for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering
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M. Isabel Vasquez PE VP-Professional
and Surveying and on the Technical Committee of the International Civil Engineering Congress. He has 13 years of private sector engineering experience and 17 years of public sector experience, where he served as director of public works/city engineer for the cities of McAllen, South Padre Island and Brownsville. Additionally, he is a former state president of the American Public Works Association – Texas Chapter and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also a past member and past disaster chair of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bali received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, where he was member of the Corps of Cadets. engineers.texas.gov TEX AS AND SOUTH KOREA SIGN ENGINEERING LICENSURE AGREEMENT An agreement between Texas and South Korea was signed in Austin which will streamline mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and licensing arrangements to work on projects in both jurisdictions. The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for engineering services was signed by Dr. Daniel Wong PE Chairman, and Dr. Lance Kinney PE, Executive Durector, of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, and Mr. Hong Taek Yong, Director General, of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning of Korea, and Mr. ChangWoo Kim, Executive Vice President of the Korean Professional Engineers Association (KPEA). The agreement will open up opportunities for Texas Professional Engineers to provide enginnering services in South Korea by making it much easier for suitably qualified engineers to be licensed with KPEA. This agreement demonstrates the Texas Board’s continued leadership in international licensure. The MRA is the first for engineering services under the U.S. – Korea Free trade Agreement and follows similar agreements providing for mutual recognition of engineering licensure between Texas and Canada, Mexico, and Australia and a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan. The Chairman of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, Dr. Daniel Wong PE, said, “I am extremely proud of the Texas Board in this agreement with the Country of Korea. Texas is leading the U.S. in the global recognition of engineering licensure and exchange of professional services”. The Korean Ministy of Science, ICT, and Future Planning stated that “This accord is expected to raise the international stature of local professional engineers and increase overseas demand for them.” engineers.texas.gov
Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Continued from page 7
held in Chicago at the 2016 MRLC on January 13-14. At the meeting, a Technical Director was added to the Board of Direction. Carol Haddock PE, a Texas Section member, was elected to be that Technical Director on the board. In April, the Region 6 Board attended the ASCE Texas Student Symposium in Lubbock at Texas Tech University. The conference was well attended by the Texas Section who also had a Section Board Meeting the day before the events. The Texas Section Board received a report from the Region 6 Director on national and regional issues. Region 6 held a brief meeting of the Board of Governors to finalize our plans for 2016. Some of the Region 6 Governors also judged the concrete canoe competition. The National Concrete Canoe Competition was held at the University of Texas at Tyler, June 9-11 this year. The Region 6 Board approved a Student Chapter at Texas Southern University. On July 8-9, 2016 the ASCE Board of Direction met in San Diego to approval the preliminary budget that will receive its final approval at the October Board of Direction meeting in Portland during the ASCE International Convention. “Dream Big” has become a reality and will be shown for the first time at IMAX theaters across the nation on Engineers Week 2017. A discussion was held in July on raising the annual dues by $15 to cover budget shortfalls anticipated this next year. The board approved the additional dues increase that allows Region, Section and Branch allocations to remain at approximately the same level this upcoming year. A measure to eliminate one region within the U.S. failed to pass so the number of regions and region boundaries will remain as they are for now. This was an effort to eliminate one Geographic Region Director on the board to maintain 17 members with the new Technical Director being added. This may still be an issue for the incoming Region 6 Director. Mark Woodson PE is the outgoing President becoming PastPresident and Norma Jean Mattei PhD, PE will become the President for 2016-2017. Kristina Swallow will be the incoming President-Elect. I hope that you will invite her to the Texas Section meeting or other significant meetings during her term. In closing I would like to say that I have served with many dedicated engineers on the Region 6 Board of
Ken Morris dances at CECON 2015. Thank you Ken, for all your work with the Section as Director of Region 6! Photo by Jerry Rogers PhD, PE
Governors. I believe we have made some significant contributions to the Sections, Branches, Student Chapters and the Region as a whole. During the past three years, our Region 6 Board have made an average of 85 visits per year which includes Sections, Branches, Chapters, MRLC’s, ASCE National Conventions as well as many other meetings and conferences. We have allocated approximately $40,000 back to Sections, Branches, Chapters, scholarships and awards. We would like to believe that we have made an impact and a difference for our profession. I would like to say that it has been a pleasure and honor to serve as the Region 6 Director over the past three years. The Texas Section has been very good to work with and I have met many engineers and officers that I consider friends and fellow professionals. It is my goal to keep in touch with members of the Texas Section and continue to attend the CECON. I thank the staff at the Texas Section Administrative office who have been very easy to work with and very supportive. Your new Director Nancy Cline will do an outstanding job and she has my full support. I will do everything possible to make it a smooth transition for her. My last Texas Section and Region 6 Board of Governors meeting as Director will be at CECON in San Marcos, September 21-23. I hope to see many of you there. Sincerely,
Kenneth B. Morris PE Region 6 Director
Civil Engineers are Global Leaders building a better quality of life.
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News Dr. John S. Grounds III, PE, CFM, D.WRE, Director of Water Resources, Promoted to Vice President, LJA John came to LJA through the acquisition of Grounds Anderson, LLC in 2013 as an industry leader in storm water management, flood plain hydrology and mapping. John was instrumental in managing the completion of the largest and most technologically advanced flood insurance study in the United States for all of Harris County — the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project for Harris County Flood Control District. John continues to make significant contributions to building the Water Resources and H&H departments here at LJA. He is committed to ensuring that LJA is the leading provider of these services to our private and public sector clients. He is an active member of the water resources community and is on the board of numerous professional associations and organizations. John’s knowledge and experience make him an integral asset to LJA’s success. song tan pe, Leed ap, Promoted to Senior Vice President, Papedawson Engineers, Inc. The Officers of Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. are pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Song Tan to Senior Vice President. In this role, Mr. Tan will be responsible for technical oversight of the firm’s land development services, and he will continue to take a strong leadership role in the promotion and management of these services. Mr. Tan joined Pape-Dawson Engineers in 1990 and has more than 26 years’ civil engineering experience. He is responsible for administering and managing the civil engineering design of office, commercial, and industrial projects. His work experience includes heavy site work and utility construction; light rail construction; cost estimates for utilities and land development; preparation of construction plans and specifications for water, sewer
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and storm drainage systems; flood plain encroachment design; field surveys; and subdivision plats. Mr. Tan holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credentials in the State of Texas.
2016 EPA Region 6 Outstanding GI/LID Project Competition Sponsored by ASCE-EWRI Showcase your innovative implementation of GI/ LID practices for stormwater management, flood management, water conservation, green and complete streets, community revitalization, and etc. Submit your abstracts by September 19, 2016 to Nichole Young via email at young.nichole@epa.gov. Instructions for submitting abstracts and information on ASCE-EWRI sponsored prize awards are attached. Questions? Contact Nichole Young (214-665-6447) or Suzanna Perea (214-665-7217).
Classified Registered engineer or architect desired for “certificate of merit” in planned lawsuit against City of McKinney, TX and possible professionals for damages to my ancient brick building, which is being damaged by a City tree recently placed adjacent to its front. Contact Ross Melton, Jr., Sc.D at rb8102@copper.net for more information.
Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
Corpus Christi’s La Fruta Dam Melinda Luna PE History and Heritage Committee Chair
La Fruta Dam was located near Wesley Seale Dam on the Nueces River upstream of the City of Corpus Christi. The first settlers, the citizens of Corpus Christi had to depend on rainwater, well water, and flow from the Nueces River. Water had always been an issue in the city’s history. When Zachary Taylor’s men landed in the area in 1845, he noted that fresh water was an issue. The army built a well in Artesian Park which had Sulphur making the water not palatable to drink. During the Civil War, there was an idea of building a levee to turn Nueces Bay into a freshwater lake but the idea was abandoned. Water was sold in barrels tr ansported from the Nueces River and sold door to door. Water was sold in barrels transported from the Nueces River and sold door to door. There were several times in history that the area did not have a reliable supply of water, which left Corpus Christi leaders looking for a solution. In 1893, the city built a steam-powered pumping plant to transport water along a 17-mile pipeline, but this was dependent on the Nueces River flowing, and drought caused continual threats to that plan. In 1913, Alexander Potter recommended using desalinized bay water. Potter was a civil engineer working in New York City on other municipal projects and was well known in the New York area. The city dropped the idea due to cost. P.G. Lovenskiold pushed for a dam to be built. The construction of the dam started in 1927 at a cost of 1.7 million dollars (38.7 million in
today’s dollars). Just in 1927, there were two months where no rainfall fell in the Nueces basin. The City of Corpus Christi was facing a number of decisions on building ventures and this project prevented other projects like the Corpus Christi Seawall to be built. Costs to build the dam increased to 2. 5 million dollars. The superintendent overseeing the construction was John D. Warin, Jr. who worked for Hawley and Freese. Among other challenges were two hurricanes and period of flooding that slowed construction.
some of these claims of where citizens asked the city to pay for their loses. The City had hired Henry Exall Elrod Engineering Company. Henry E. Elrod had received a bachelor’s of science degree from Texas A & M University in 1901. He had experience in building bridges and roads in the Dallas area, where he was headquarter. Elrod was joined by John Norris, then head of Texas Board of Water Engineers. They also worked with Simon Freese and Marvin Nichols to get the dam repaired.
Unfortunately, the city suffered a financial crisis and took construction shortcuts. Planners shortened the length of the sheet piling reducing the piles to 30 feet. The recommended length was 40 feet in order to anchor them in a clay bed. When completed, the dam was featured in a number of Engineering New Record articles. The dam built was an earthen and masonry dam with a concrete apron. The dam project was featured in the presentations and proceedings of ASCE at a national level. The lake was 65,000 acre – feet, the size of the reservoir would sustain a population of 75,000. In 1930, the population of Corpus Christi was just under 28,000. In late October 1930, the Nueces river basin experienced 8 to 12 inches of rainfall and 6 inches in November, the concrete apron started to vibrate and the dam breached. Marvin Nichols and Simon Freese received word of the breach around noon and traveled to the dam site, arriving around 4:30 AM the next day. Luckily there were no known lives lost. However, a number of residents lost livestock. The Corpus Christi Library archives have preserved
Without a reliable water supply, the City of Corpus Christi made the decision to try to repair the dam bringing in Robert Cummins, Houston-based structural engineer, to do a forensic study to advise how to repair the structure. A number of engineers gave their opinion on the dam failure including Karl Terzaghi, the father of soil mechanics. Once again the City of Corpus Christi faced periods of time where no rain fell in the basin and then periods of flood. The dam was rebuilt in 1935 and renamed Lake Corpus Christi. Eventually, a larger reservoir was needed and construction of Wesley Sealy Dam providing 302,000 acre-ft. of storage in 1958. The gates of the second dam were taken out and the dam was breached before Lake Corpus Christi started its impoundment and any evidence of the dam was covered by the waters of the new lake. The lessons of the dam have been preserved in the development of the Froehlich questions in breach equations. As the La Fruta dam was one of the largest dams included in the database that developed the equations.
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Texas Civil Engineer | Volume 86, No. 4 - Fall 2016
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