Cherokee Tree Farm Project

The purpose of this project, identified as the Cherokee Tree Farm, is to develop a retreat (e.g., corporate, business, and family) within reasonable driving distance from the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area which can be used for conferences and meetings of various sizes. Associated with the development of the retreat and conference center is the construction of two prominent water features to support a variety of team building and recreational activities.

The initial purpose of TRC’s involvement was to develop the conceptual hydrologic and hydraulic dam and spillway design for two dam structures and assist with water rights permitting and other water-related matters. As the project progressed, additional task assignments were added that included an evaluation of potential sites for the construction of sedimentation ponds and the development of a discharge monitoring system to determine inflows into and out of the lakes.

TRC developed HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS hydrologic models of the entire watershed utilizing GIS tools to better estimate the input parameters. The HEC-HMS models were subsequently used to: (1) evaluate potential sites within the basin for the location of sedimentation basins and water quality improvement facilities; and (2) evaluate various spillway configurations to determine the optimum design for meeting the project goals. The HEC-RAS models were used to: (1) develop appropriate discharge ratings for the proposed spillways; (2) establish the hydraulic characteristics of the sedimentation basins; and (3) determine the effects of lake and other construction on FM 855. TRC also prepared preliminary plans and cost estimates for the two proposed dams that were needed, as well as provided representation before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Other activities have included evaluation of potential sites for the location of monitoring system weirs to establish system-wide inflows into and out of the lakes, and the performance of a dye study and water quality modeling in Flat Creek related to the City of Bullard’s existing wastewater treatment plant discharge and its proposed expansion.

TRC has completed the design for the project’s South Lake Dam, and submitted plans and specifications to the TCEQ for construction approval. The submission included a dam breach analysis to establish the hazard classification of the proposed structure, and a detailed hydrologic and hydraulic report for the site. In addition, all potential flood impacts along local streams related to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program were evaluated to ensure that the new lake would not negatively impact off-site properties or the public infrastructure systems.

Client

Cherokee Tree Farm, L.P.

Project Location

Cherokee County, TX