The Need
The Las Cruces Drainage Commission requested assistance to better understand the causes of flooding and to develop effective flood mitigation strategies. The community needed technical analysis to evaluate stormwater behavior and to design practical solutions to reduce the severity and extent of flooding throughout the town.
our Involvement
2009 – Initial Assessment Trip
Established relationships with community, government officials and local NGO
Performed community health, water quality and topographical surveys
2010 – Submitted preliminary project report to EWB-USA, NGO and community
2011 – Assessment Trip
Detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of existing stormwater conditions
Evaluation of improvements to reduce the severity and extent of flooding problems.
The preferred alternative was the construction of a 4.5 km channel to intercept flows and route them around the town.
2012 – Submitted flood mitigation plans
Flood mitigation plans, specifications and estimates were delivered to a government agency, Segeplan who provided the plans and reports to the new Las Cruces municipal government
The government retained a Guatemalan consultant to prepare the final plan which included elements of the EWB-CPC plan but also had significant changes
2013 – First construction phase initiated by Guatemalan consultant
Followed up with Segeplan and the project began its first construction phase in late 2013
Two team members acquired data for a clean, reliable water source for the recently relocated community health clinic
2014 – Monitoring Trip
Assessed the completed well which was drilled at health clinic by local contractor according to EWB-CPC design and its water quality was good
Helped the clinic workers develop a plan to clean and disinfect rainwater storage tank
Found that the storm water diversion channel was being constructed although the routing and capacity had been changed from the original EWB plan
Following the June trip, the team determined that the program was successfully in the hands of local organizations and the program was closed out with EWB-USA
THE RESULTS
Through multiple assessment, analysis, and monitoring trips between 2009 and 2014, Engineers Without Borders–Chicagoland Professional Chapter completed detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies and developed flood mitigation plans for the community. A preferred solution involving the construction of a 4.5 km stormwater diversion channel was identified to intercept and route floodwaters around the town.
Flood mitigation plans, specifications, and cost estimates were delivered to the Guatemalan government agency Segeplan and subsequently shared with the Las Cruces municipal government. While a Guatemalan consultant later modified the final design, construction of the stormwater diversion system began in late 2013. Additional outcomes included the successful design and installation of a clean water well at the community health clinic, confirmation of good water quality, and support for rainwater storage disinfection planning. By 2014, the project had transitioned fully to local organizations, and the program was formally closed out with EWB-USA.
