Our Services

CMG Drainage Engineering, Inc. is proud to offer a wide variety of professional engineering services to our clients. Below are some examples of these services and experience:
  1. Drainage Studies for Land Development Projects
  2. Drainage Studies for Roadway Improvement Projects
  3. Drainage Studies for Mining & Reclamation Plans
  4. FEMA Flood Insurance Studies
  5. Local Agency Floodplain Use Permits
  6. River & Basin Management Plans
  7. Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits
  8. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
  9. Spill Plans for Control & Counter Measures(SPCC)
  10. Landfill Drainage Analysis & Design

1. Drainage Studies for Land Development

Quail Creek
Client: Robson Communities
Location: Town of Sahuarita, Arizona
Completion Date: October 2007
Scope: Completion of subdivision drainage reports for 12 blocks within the Quail Creek Master Plan area. Completion of roadway drainage plans for Campbell Avenue and the Quail Crossing extension road (total distance approx. 2 miles). Flooding sources within this subdivision include riverine tributaries, sheet flooding and the north overbank of the Santa Cruz River. Bank Protection and channelization structures were designed for both the subdivision blocks and for the roadway improvements.

Cascada
Client: Red Point Development
Location: Town of Marana, Arizona
Completion Date: January 2008
Scope: Completion of Master Drainage Plan for the Cascada project, a 1477 acres master planned community. This study involved completed of hydrologic analyses, floodplain mapping using FLO-2D and hydraulic design of regional detention basins. Coordination with several other consultants was required to integrate the project drainage design with surrounding projects such as the Twin Peaks traffic interchange.

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2. Drainage Studies for Roadway Improvements

Ajo way (AZ SR-86)/Kinney Rd. Widening Design -Build Project
Client: Pima County
Location: Pima County, Ajo & Kenney
Completion Date: 2008
Scope: Designed roadway drainage facilities to accommodate this intersection and roadway widening project, which included approximately 0.75 mile of Ajo Way and 1.5 miles of Kinney Rd. Design services included a hydrologic analysis, existing cross drainage structure capacity evaluation (18 crossings), hydraulic design, sediment and scour analyses, Section 404 CWA impact analysis and drainage report preparation. The design featured a roadside drainage collector channel along Kinney Rd. to alleviate historical flooding conditions within the intersection and extension, enlargement or replacement of existing culverts.

Tanque Verde Rd. Widening
Client: Pima County
Location: Pima County, Catalina Hwy to Houghton Rd.
Completion Date: 2009
Scope: Evaluation and upgrade of roadway drainage facilities for this 1.75 mile long project. Drainage components included hydrologic analysis of 100-year off-site storm water runoff, hydrologic analysis of 10-year on-site pavement drainage, existing cross drainage structure capacity evaluation (11 crossings), drainage channel design for intercepting the off-site flows, a storm drain system for conveying pavement flow, culvert hydraulic design, sediment and scour analyses and drainage report. A comprehensive alternatives analysis was performed for a major wash crossing that included evaluating impacts to adjacent properties from various structure types and determination of Section 404 CWA impacts.

Sahuarita Rd. Widening
Client: The Town of Sahuarita
Location: Town of Sahuarita, I-19 to La Villita Rd.
Completion Date: 2009
Scope: Designed roadway drainage facilities for conversion of approximately 1 mile of rural roadway to a six-lane divided urban arterial. Project scope included a hydrologic analysis of pre- and post- construction 100-year off-site runoff, hydrologic analysis of proposed 10-year on-site pavement drainage, a storm drain system for conveying pavement drainage, culvert hydraulic design, sediment and scour analyses and drainage report preparation. This project featured substantial off-site flows that had to be intercepted and conveyed in combination underground conduit and open channel drainage systems.

Cascada Blvd.
Client: The Town of Marana
Location: Town of Marana, Arizona
Completion Date: 2007
Scope: Designed roadway cross drainage and pavement drainage facilities for a four-lane divided urban arterial roadway to serve new master planned community. Design services included hydrologic analyses, culvert hydraulic design, pavement storm water inlet and storm drain system design, sediment and scour analyses and preparation of drainage report.

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3. Drainage Studies for Mining Plans

Hydraulic/ Sediment Transport & Mine Plan
Client: Unnamed
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Completion Date: December 2008
Scope: Evaluated impacts to adjoining properties and public improvements and identified required erosion control measures. Environmental assessments were conducted to fulfill requirements of Clean Water Act Section 401 and 404 permits. Hydraulic analyses for floodplain/flood elevation determinations, sediment transport analysis for assessment of aggradation /degradation potential, and developed mine plan specification for a 1,200-acre sand and gravel mining area along the Salt River were also provided.

Mining Feasibility Study
Client: Unnamed
Location: Glendale, Arizona
Completion Date: April 2009
Scope: Developed a mining plan which complied with the requirements of the Maricopa County Floodplain Management Ordinance. Specific issues which were addressed, as a part of this study, included development of a design concept report and specifications for a parameter berm for protection during peak flows of the Agua Fria River.

Copper Mine Reclamation
Client: Unnamed
Location: Winkelman, Arizona
Completion Date: September, 2009
Scope: The project involved the relocation of approximately 1.2 million cubic yards of tailings material, with an additional 400,000 cubic yards of rock cover being placed on the final tailing slopes for erosion protection. A tailings pond liner was also placed along with bedding material on one of the tailings ponds. Several drainage channels were excavated to design plans or were field-fit throughout the site. CMG provided engineering support for the General Contractor (GC) and served as the primary liaison on behalf of the GC. By enhancing and facilitating project communication, we kept the operations personnel directed and on-target with minimal involvement from upper management. Services included weekly on-site meetings, project oversight, project control, daily tracking of crew time, equipment time, and quantities. Project updates, schedule updates, and report development was conducted on a daily and/or weekly basis depending on the need. CMG provided engineering review of design plans and as-built surveys to aid in verifying payment quantities. During and after construction quality control tracking assistance was given. Project definition assistance and invoice development issues were also addressed.

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4. FEMA Flood Insurance Studies

Tortolita Alluvial Fan FIS Study
Client: The Town of Marana
Location: Town of Marana, Arizona
Completion Date: 2009
Scope: This study covered 165 square miles within the Town and Pima County and included HEC-1 modeling to determine peak flow rates at the apex of several alluvial fans, FLO-2D modeling of sheet flow areas on the fan surfaces, and processing of flood insurance study mapping through FEMA. Several man-made structures such as the CAP Canal, UPRR railroad and Interstate I-10 were analyzed with respect to their influence on flooding patterns, depths and function as levee-like structures.

Pima Wash Study
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: Pima County, 1/2 Mile North of Ina Road to Rillito Creek Confluence
Completion Date: January 2008
Scope: Update the FEMA floodplain and floodway boundaries for Pima Wash. The updates were required as a result of changes in the channel alignment which were implemented by Pima County in conjunction with improvements to Ina Road. The floodplain and floodway boundaries were developed using GEO-RAS & HEC-RAS. Cross-section intervals averaged 300' which exceeds FEMA requirements. Submittals were made to the District and FEMA which included GIS-based DFIRM. The DFIRM contained floodplain and floodway polygons, cross-section locations with attributes defining stations, 100-year water surface elevations, floodway water surface elevations, and 500-year water surface elevations. Submittals to both the District and FEMA were compatible with each mapping coordinate system.

Rillito Creek Physical Map Revision
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: Pima County, 12 miles between Craycoft Road and confluence with the Santa Cruz River.
Completion Date: 2004
Scope: This was a restudy of the Rillito Creek which included field determination of Manning's n-value, field survey of the existing bridge, preparation of a HEC-RAS model using digital terrain models, and electronic submittal of linework to both Pima County and FEMA. This project also included facilitation of meetings to present the proposed floodplain revision to interested members of the public.

Cañada Agua East & West Alluvial Fan Letter of Map Revision
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: Town of Marana, Arizona
Completion Date: October 2007
Scope: Development of two FLO-2D models and the revision of the FEMA floodplain from the apex of each alluvial fan to the downstream study limit. The study of the Cañada Agua East alluvial fan included delineation of inactive alluvial fan areas, pursuant to requirement found in FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. Both studies included the mapping of AO(1), AO(2), and AO(3) floodplains. Submittal to local regulatory agencies and FEMA included GIS-compatible digital floodplain information.

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5. Floodplain Use Permits

Our company has conducted numerous floodplain use permits for various clients, such as residential land development, individual owners, mining operations, and commercial developments. We have extensive experience in the application/submittal process with The City of Tucson, The City of Sierra Vista, The Town of Marana, The Town of Oro Valley, The Town of Sahuarita, Santa Cruz County, Pinal County, Pima County, and Maricopa County.

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6. Basin Management Plans

Sahuarita Basin Management Plan, Phase I.
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: Town of Sahuarita, Arizona
Completion Date: January 2000
Scope: Delineation of watershed areas and determination of peak discharge rates by the Pima County method and by the U.S.A.C.E. HEC-1 model were completed. Drainage culvert structures at roadway crossings were also inventoried and rated to determine their hydraulic capacity. A summary of previous drainage complaints within the community was prepared and ongoing problems, such as erosion and sedimentation, were identified. A management plan report was completed to assist Pima County and the Town of Sahuarita with the management of future activities within the floodplain area and with issuing floodplain use permits for future development.

Study of Aspen Fire on the Upper Cañada Del Oro Watershed
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: CDO Wash Watershed
Completion Date: December 2005
Scope: Evaluated the hydrologic and hydraulic changes to the Upper Cañada Del Oro as a result of the Aspen Fire. The project was resident in the ArcVIEW GIS platform and included the use of the Geo-HMS and Geo-RAS tools to evaluate the magnitude of increased flooding following the Aspen Fire and the potential floodplain impacts. This study was used to support the Districts application for a FEMA pre-disaster mitigation grant, used to acquire at-risk properties. Unique features of the study included the use of GIS-bases spatial analyses, preparation of GIS-based hydrologic and hydraulic models, and calibration of pre-fire and post-fire models using ALERT system precipitation and stream flow gages. On-going projects have included additional calibration of the hydrologic model based on newer data, and adapting the model to accept near real-time precipitation data from the Districts ALERT precipitation gages.

Finger Rock Wash Geomorphic Analyses
Client: Pima County Flood Control District
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Completion Date: 2001
Scope: The most important elements of this study were to assess the sediment transport characteristics of Finger Rock Wash and to determine whether or not it was feasible to channelize Finger Rock Wash all the way to Rillito Creek. A geomorphic analysis was completed to estimate the upstream sediment supply. Two alternative channel alignments and five alternative channel cross sections were evaluated for their sediment transport capacity. The equilibrium channel slope was determined for each of these cross sections and this slope was compared with available channel slope along each of the alternative alignments. Based on these comparisons, a determination was made for the most appropriate channel alignment, cross section, and need for grade control structures.

Lake Mogollon
Client: Navajo County
Location: Heber, Arizona
Completion Date: 1997
Scope: Determine the feasibility of constructing a 200-300 acre recreational reservoir along Phoenix Park Wash near the town of Heber, Arizona. The two primary issues which were addressed as a part of this study were 1. the ability of the watershed to yield adequate amounts of runoff to support the desired water surface elevations and 2. an analyses of probable maximum flood events, which had to be addressed to design the emergency spillway structure. A limited amount of historical rainfall runoff data was available, so watershed analyses was combined with data from similar adjoining watersheds. The combined information was used to generate a power function relating annual precipitation (for both snow and rainfall) to runoff volume. This relationship then was used to predict annual runoff volumes and simulate reservoir stage changes. Evaporation and seepage losses were included in the model to account for annual drawdown. The analyses of high-magnitude storm events utilized a HEC-1 model to predict runoff for various storm frequencies. Different antecedent soil moisture conditions were also analyzed to determine the effect of different watershed conditions on peak runoff rates. The hydrographs for the different storm runoff events were then routed through the reservoir utilizing the storage routing in the HEC-1.

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7. Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits

CMG has completed over 120 Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits. Some examples include:

The Bluffs II CDO Wash Bank Protection
Client: Pulte Homes
Location: Pima County, Arizona
Completion Date: 2001
Scope: Preparing the CWA Section 404 permit application for construction of 2200 linear feet of soil cement bank protection along the west side of the Cañada Del Oro Wash between the north end of Tucson Country Club and La Cholla Boulevard. CMG Drainage Engineering, Inc., prepared the Alternatives Analysis (as required under Section 404(b)(1) guidelines) and responded to comments which were brought forth by the participating review agencies.

Rocking K Ranch
Client: Diamond Ventures
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Completion Date: March 2007
Scope: Preparing the CWA Section 404 permit application for Rocking K Ranch which is a 3,200-acre land development project on the east side of Tucson. The scope of this effort included coordinating with the participating review agencies, preparation of the 404(b)(1) Alternatives Analysis, working with the Corps of Engineers to develop the jurisdictional boundary delineations, preparation of the public notice application, and assisting the Corps with writing their environmental assessment.

Spook Hill ADMP Study
Client: Maricopa County
Location: Maricopa County, Arizona
Completion Date: 2005
Scope: This was conducted as an On-Call consultant for the Flood Control District to provide engineering and environmental permitting services. The total study area was approximately 20 square miles. Services included completion of the jurisdictional boundary delineation, coordination with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and consulting on 404 permitting alternatives.

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8. Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)

CalMat Companies AZ & NM Rock Products Facilities
Client: Vulcan Materials
Location: Arizona & New Mexico
Completion Date: 2002
Scope: Preparing the Notice of Intent (NOI) Applications for general permit coverage under Section 402P of the Clean Water Act (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System). The principle elements of this study were to develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for 18 different plant sites in Arizona and New Mexico. The SWPPP gave CalMat Companies guidance on the best management practices to control the pollutants discharged from their industrial plants. The plants were required to implement a stormwater sampling plan, which requires the company to collect the stormwater samples in accordance with the EPA guidelines and package them for delivery to a laboratory. CMG also developed this plan and included step-by-step procedures for conducting the sampling and recording of results in accordance with EPA requirements.

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9. Spill Plans for Control & Countermeasures(SPCC)

CMG Drainage Engineering, Inc. has developed and produced several Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plans for sand & gravel sites in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Plan development includes required site inspections, site plans, record keeping documentation, and plan administration documentation to aid the site personnel in developing, tracking, and storing the required documentation at the intervals required. Additional site support has been provided as required.

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10. Landfill Drainage Analysis & Design

Los Reales Landfill
Client: City of TucsonRail-Cycle
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Scope: Completion of a drainage study, which included determination of off-site discharges entering the property, design of perimeter conveyance channels and stabilization measures to convey flows through the property. The design required determination of means for transitioning the channelized washes back to their natural condition at the property boundaries. The second element of this project was to address surface grading for the landfill closure and the on-site drainage plan. Drainage collector swales and retention storage facilities were designed to prevent landfill surface drainage from entering natural washes downstream. This containment of the surface drainage was required to comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) permit requirements.

Vincent Mullins Landfill
Client: City of Tucson
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Scope: Conducted the hydraulic analyses and sediment transport modeling for design of the bank protection improvements. The hydraulic analyses were conducted to determine the required height of the bank protection to protect the landfill from floods up to about the 500-year return period event. Sediment transport analyses and geomorphic studies were conducted to evaluate the short-term and long-term changes in the channel bed profile. Equilibrium slope analyses were conducted to determine the potential for long-term degradation of the channel bed profile. Sediment transport analyses were conducted to determine channel bed scour depth during single, high-magnitude flood events. Short-term and long-term responses were summed to determine total scour depth potential and to design the bank protection toe-down depth.

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