The La Plata West Water Authority (LPWWA) began
design for a water distribution system serving portions
of southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico. As
part of this large undertaking, the installation of a water
intake structure was necessary within the impacted area
behind the new Ridges Basin Dam. This intake structure
includes a 123 ft deep, 15 ft wide intake shaft, with two
drilled, 36” diameter intake addits and structures that
will eventually be submerged by the rising level of
Nighthorse Reservoir. Russell Planning and Engineering
(RPE) was hired by the Owner as an independent
Construction Observer to observe all construction
related activities, test results and shop drawings over the
course of the nine month design‐build project.The La Plata West Water Authority (LPWWA) began 

design for a water distribution system serving portions

of southwestern Colorado and northern New Mexico. As

part of this large undertaking, the installation of a water

intake structure was necessary within the impacted area

behind the new Ridges Basin Dam. This intake structure

includes a 123 ft deep, 15 ft wide intake shaft, with two

drilled, 36” diameter intake addits and structures that

will eventually be submerged by the rising level of

Nighthorse Reservoir. Russell Planning and Engineering

(RPE) was hired by the Owner as an independent

Construction Observer to observe all construction

related activities, test results and shop drawings over the

course of the nine month design‐build project.