Verde Valley GeoSpatial Database
Draft Phase II Scope of Work
By Abe Springer, NAU
June 5, 2008
Introduction
For several years, the Yavapai County Water Advisory Commission (YCWAC)
has had as one of its objectives an adequate understanding of the surface water system in
the Verde Valley. Additionally, the YCWAC desires predictive capabilities regarding
effects of various hydrologic/hydraulic management scenarios on the surface water
system. The Technical Administrative Committee (YCTAC) of the YCWAC has
identified the preparation of a surface-water model for the middle Verde River Watershed
as a key component for achieving its objectives. The uses of such a model are diverse,
and include:

Provide a context in which to assemble a complete set of relevant existing
hydrologic and hydraulic data on the middle Verde River and its tributaries,
and identify data gaps;

Provide boundary constraints to the groundwater flow model currently in
development by the USGS;

Provide water use and operation data for Verde irrigation ditches for
evaluation of future water budget scenarios,

Provide a better understanding of the impacts on the middle Verde River flow
and water depths due to diversions operating both on the main step and key
tributaries, such as Oak Creek;

Provide hydrology and hydraulic information for ongoing and planned
ecological flow need assessments and research; and

Provide basic hydrological and hydraulic models that can be used for a wide
variety of needs, such as flood-plain mapping, research to help anticipate
climate change impacts, flow projection, etc.
The purpose of this initiative is to collect data relevant to building a surface-water
model to better understand how surface-water flows in the middle Verde River valley
respond to hydrological conditions.
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In this document, we outline a scope of work that will move the YCWAC
substantially towards the completion of its objectives.
Phase II of work the work is presented here.
This second phase of the project will consist of:



Build a hydraulic model of the Verde River from Mile Zero to the Camp
Verde gage, including the perennial tributaries and the major diversions and
ditches,
Simulate steady, low flow condition of the Middle and Upper Verde River
without diversions, and
Simulate unsteady flow of the Middle and Upper Verde River with up to two
major diversions constrained by new data collected in this study.
We plan on and commit to a regular cycle of communication and coordination
between ourselves, stakeholders and partners, and the YCWAC and YCTAC at regularly
scheduled quarterly intervals.
Detailed Scope
1) Build 1-D steady-flow hydraulic model in WMS HEC-RAS.
We will construct a hydraulic model of the surface-water system in the Middle and
Upper Verde River watershed. Hydraulic models simulate the hydraulics of water
moving in natural or constructed channels while hydrologic models route runoff in
watersheds. (At some level, a complete understanding of either the hydraulics or the
hydrology requires that we consider both; however, for many applications, the two can be
isolated from one another, with hydrology investigations focused on the entire watershed
area, and hydraulic studies generally dealing with river and stream reaches.)
For this effort, we plan to use software known as WMS, which is shorthand for
Watershed Modeling System software, developed by Brigham Young University and
EMS-I, Inc.
Specifically, we will:




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Import GIS data collected in Phase I of the study into WMS;
Collect additional hydraulic information necessary for constraining and
calibrating a hydraulic model;
Use topographic mapping and DEM data provided by Yavapai County;
Compute steady flow water surface profile for Middle and Upper Verde River
baseflow condition; and
Simulate unsteady flow of the Middle and Upper Verde River baseflow condition
for at least 2 diversions and associated seepage (see details in following task).
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We will rely on the Geospatial Research and Information Laboratory (GRAIL) at
NAU to provide technical GIS assistance. We will purchase an educational license for
WMS to conduct the hydraulic modeling.
Information about the WMS system can be found at
http://www.ems-i.com/WMS/WMS_Overview/wms_overview.html
The WMS modeling system includes the hydraulic model HEC-RAS developed at the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC). The river
analysis system (HEC-RAS) v. 4.0 was released in March 2008. The hydraulic model
module of WMS processes spatial data necessary for a 1-D hydraulic model or natural
and constructed channels. HEC-RAS in included in the “river modeling module” of
WMS. HEC-RAS has four analysis components, but we will be primarily using two of
these components to: 1) compute steady flow water surface profiles; and 2) simulate
unsteady flow. Diversions can be simulated by defining rules for hydraulic structures
built into the model. Also, the unsteady flow analysis allows for the ability to simulate
exchange of surface water and groundwater with the groundwater interflow option.
The manual for HEC-RAS can be found at:
ftp://ftp.usace.army.mil/pub/iwr-hec-web/software/ras/documentation/HECRAS_4.0_Users_Manual.pdf
Newell (2007) used a generalized river/reservoir simulation model, MODSIM to
analyze various structural and operational alternatives for the river in a decision support
system (DSS) approach. The software used a network flow algorithm which solved
equations to simulate the river and reservoir system. The approach was not GIS based as
we are proposing in this study.
2) Monitor diversion structures
We propose to monitor up to 2 different diversion ditches in the Middle Verde River.
We will work with the ditch associations to find at least 2 ditches which will allow for
continuous monitoring of diversion and return flows of the ditches for at least 9 months.
These data will be used for calibration of the hydraulic model and for scoping the need
for additional data for future modeling efforts. We anticipate being able to borrow 4
pressure transducers and data loggers from the USGS to conduct this monitoring. We
will install the transducers in the diversion head gate and the ditch return structure to
monitor stage. We will develop a standard rating curve for the shape of the diversion and
return structures.
We will assess how these 2 ditches relate to the properties of the ditches (e.g.
leakage), operation and maintenance, and other features of the other ditches of the Verde
Valley.
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3) Develop Next Phases of Studies
Discuss and design next phases of surface water modeling in consultation with
YCWAC-TAC and others. Decide if follow up research should involve a NAU graduate
student. We will continue discussions with the USGS to scope out the potential for using
the USGS MODFLOW module called the “Farm Process” (Schmid et al 2006) for future
modeling of extensive irrigation systems of the Middle Verde in concert with a
telescoped portion of the Northern Arizona Regional Groundwater Flow Model (to be
released during the next year). If so, we would need to have commitment to funding in
place by February 15, 2009 to recruit and retain a graduate student to begin studies as
early as June 1, 2009. For subsequent phases, we might evaluate suitable approaches to
flood plain hydraulics in the middle Verde; develop a watershed wide hydrology model,
etc.
4) Communication and Coordination
As part of this element, we will identify all stakeholders and partners in the project
and coordinate with those who express an interest in the project. We will provide updates
to the YCWAC-TAC and the WAC, as requested.
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Personnel
This project will be led by Dr. Springer at the Department of Geology and the
Arizona Water Institute at Northern Arizona University. Dr. Charlie Schlinger of the
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NAU will provide technical
assistance on the hydraulic modeling. GIS technical assistance and supervision will be
provided by Mark Manone of GRAIL. Mr. Manone is the GIS Education Coordinator of
GRAIL and a Research Associate in the Department of Geology at NAU. Also, Mr.
Manone is an ESRI authorized GIS instructor. Dr. Springer and Dr. Schlinger will
supervise Rob Ross, a NAU Geology graduate student, who will do much, but not all, of
the work on the project.
Schedule
Work on this project will commence on or about July 1, 2008 and conclude on or
about June 30, 2009. There will be an interim report and presentation to the TAC in
January 2008. A final report with recommendations will be provided on May 1, 2009
with sufficient time for review/comments/edits by the TAC and WAC prior to the final
project deadline of June 30, 2009.
Cost
The cost for the above scope of Phase II services is $34,785. This will include ½
month of Dr. Springer’s and Dr. Schlinger’s time, a little of Mr. Manone’s time, and 12
months of Rob Ross’s time at 20 hours per week. The detailed budget follows
Salary and Wages
Fringe
Travel
Materials/supplies
Carry forward
Total Direct cost
Indirect costs
Total Project cost
$25,017
$6,837
$750
$0
-$3,000 (approximate)
$29,604
$5,180 (17.5 % indirect costs, Arizona Water Institute rate)
$34,785
References
Newell, P.L. 2007. Simulation of the Verde River under a demand priority ranking
system, M.S. thesis, Arizona State University.
Schmid, W. R.T. Hanson, T. Maddock, S.A. Leake. 2006. User guide for the Farm
Process (FMP1) for the U.S. Geological Survey’s modular three-dimensional finitedifference groundwater flow model, MODFLOW-2000, U.S. Geological Survey,
Techniques and Methods 6-A17.
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