Looking Ahead…the Federal Role in River Management will change
Professional Practice Network Update Sharing with you the most recent newletter from ASLA and the Water Conservation PPN. As part of this series we see our very own, Jim Davis, PLA, ASLA, CID of Landtech Design based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim is collaborating on the twelve part technical series on irrigation design based on his robust practice in the Midwest, and share his knowledge in his role as Midwest Technology Officer of ASLA’s Water Conservation PPN. Last month’s edition provided a look at the start-up of large federal water programs from 1930 to 1940. The State of California just experienced flooding on 40 rivers ending a long drought in 42% of the state. Snowpack is at 178% in Sierra Nevada mountains contributing 30% of water supply. A $15.4 billion state bond package is in progress mostly in planning and design phase. If large scale water storage areas and groundwater recharge projects for water conservation had been in place on 40 rivers ahead of January, 2017, California’s long term water supply would be in better condition for meeting challenges ahead. This month, we look at a main catalyst of the entire large federal control of U.S. rivers for the past 90 years; the great flood of 1927. This month’s recommended best seller book is “Rising Tide” (1997, Simon & Schuster) by John M. Barry. The book traces river delta cotton plantation monoculture decline after the great flood, plus a series of interventions by (then) Secretary Herbert Hoover ushering in the next 90 years of USACE agency staff shaping the fate of the Mississippi River. After Hoover’s term as President, monumental control of river water resulted from massive increases in the size of the federal government. Programs of the 1930s brought forward the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, now part of the Bonneville Power Authority’s network of dams; the Hoover Dam (renamed Boulder Dam) on the Colorado River, reallocated water across Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and California; the Norris Dam and other dams within the Tennessee Valley Authority’s network of hydrodams served the South East US. Hubris in the federal control rivers changed the fate of the nation bringing unprecedented US economic wealth at great costs and environmental impacts. With US federal debt at $20 trillion, the federal government will become smaller starting in 2017. Private sector, state, and local agencies can step up to help meet large scale water infrastructure funding needs. Rod D. Martin’s book review of “Rising Tide” in the year 2000 sums up how the federal government changed to respond to rivers the US: “No one remembers the 1927 flood, or even that it happened; but it was the events surrounding that single event which more than anything else gave us modern America, and John Barry’s book is essential to understanding it. Obviously the book gives a full account of the flood itself, of the history of the river and of the delta, of the people who carved a nation out of wilderness and who lived and died in the catastrophe; without a doubt, Barry does all this, and does it in gripping style: the book is hard to put down. But Barry does far more. In telling the story, he shows how a heretofore anti-socialist America was forced by unprecedented circumstance to embrace an enormous, Washington-based big-government solution to the greatest natural catastrophe in our history, preparing the way (psychologically and otherwise) for the New Deal. He shows how this was accomplished through the Republican . . .Herbert Hoover, who would never have become President without the flood. . . . It is an amazing...
Read MoreTribute to Tom Lee
Paying tribute to Tom Lee for the many contributions he made to the Irrigation Industry, Landtech Design and to Kenney Outdoor Solutions.
Read MoreIndianapolis Motor Speedway gets new look
Gentlemen..and Ladies Start Your Engines 100th Anniversary for Indy 500 Race The city of Indianapolis is busy getting ready to host the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 this year on Sunday, May 29th, 2016. As you can imagine these projects are in full swing and nearing completion. All of which will give the Indianapolis Motor Speedway a new look and yet hold on to the history and tradition that makes this event so popular. Landtech Design Irrigation at the start Indianapolis Motor Speedway embarked on a $90M Project to upgrade, replace and improve the entire experience for visitors to IMS. The roundabout that was recently completed outside Turn 1 will now gain the pedestrian plaza in what has been termed the new “Kodak Moment” entranceway to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Highlights include: Large pedestrian Plaza with checkered-flag patterns in the paving, and dramatic lighting of the architectural features and plantings Main pedestrian entrance to IMS and updated grandstands and seating Landtech Design Irrigation has been involved from the early design inception to incorporate the irrigation with the complex landscape planting developed for the Plaza. Countdown to Race Day Construction is now entering the final stages and the landscape and irrigation portion of the project is underway. Becker Landscaping in Indianapolis is the landscape contractor for the project and they are busy with the many aspects that will give the project the finishing touch. When the green flag is dropped for the start of the race we know that cameras will be on the cars racing into the first turn, but also the cameras will be showcasing the tremendous work put into this major project. The largest single-day sporting event in the world and Landtech Design Irrigation and Kenney Outdoor Solutions have played a part in that project. Be sure to keep Landtech Design Irrigation in mind for any projects that you are undertaking, whether they are large scale or small we have the team available to provide you with designs incorporating the latest in technology and water...
Read MoreProject Highlights Around the World
Learn about exciting new projects that Landtech Design Consultants are working on from around the world .
Read MoreWhen NEW News is OLD News…
Capturing the Best of Both Often times we look for NEW News, when in fact some of the best can be OLD News and we simply need to be reminded of what we forgot and pushed aside to do at a later date. To start the new year we thought we’d look back to our previous posts and highlight those that received the most attention. Take time in 2016 to be sure that you capture those highlights of your business from 2015 and earlier and build them into your successes in the NEW YEAR. Water Conservation Highlights both NEW and OLD Water Conservation continues to be a major issue for many areas of the country and be sure to watch for the introduction of improved irrigation design through product innovations, weather station driven controllers and education to the general public. Catch two previous Blog Posts that we have featured in the past that focus on this topic: 6 Ways to Decrease Water Used for Irrigation read more… What You Going To Do When the Well Runs Dry read more… Project Highlights…Soaring to NEW Heights We have been very fortunate to have been involved in several high profile projects, but we continue to focus on each one whether large or small to be sure that you receive the very best in professional design support. Check out our new team members and consider how you can leverage our team to support your next project. Meet the Team read more… Rooftop Project Highlight read more… What will you do in 2016? Now that we are into the 2016 planning and forecasting it is a great time to look at our Industry and trends to be sure that we don’t get left in the past. Be sure to watch this year as we will continue to be posting and sharing with you the NEW industry designs, technology and concepts that you will want to share with your...
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