Helping Achieve a More Secure Water Supply in Big Bend National Park
Texans are no strangers to water issues, but Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas is moving closer to a more secure water supply system.
As a subconsultant to Architectural Resources Group (ARG), Kleinfelder-Doucet is replacing/rehabilitating and/or upgrading infrastructure associated with the Chisos Basin Water System, which supplies water to the park.
The project is part of a major effort by the National Park Service (NPS) to both rehabilitate the water system in the park and replace the Chisos Mountains Lodge (originally built in 1964). In 2020, the park was awarded $77 million from the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, created to address growing deferred maintenance backlogs at national parks around the country. Of that total granted, the park is allocating over $22 million to a new lodge and over $54 million to rehabilitate the park’s water systems. With strong support and collaboration from National Parks Staff and ARG, additional funding was secured to include rainwater harvesting as a key component of the project.
“It was remarkable to see park’s staff embrace the idea of rainwater harvesting in the Big Bend region,” said Nick Dornak, Water Strategies Lead for Kleinfelder-Doucet.
Upgrading Critical Water Infrastructure
Part of a larger effort to address deferred maintenance at the park, this project focuses on replacing and upgrading essential water infrastructure to ensure reliable service for visitors and staff. The improvements aim to meet or exceed flow capacity requirements for domestic water and fire protection, while aligning with NPS’s commitment to sustainability and resource conservation.
Comprehensive System Improvements
The project encompasses a wide range of enhancements, including replacing aging water mains, service lines, and valves; rehabilitating and replacing water treatment facilities and storage tanks; and installing new storage tanks and pumping systems to improve system capacity. Additionally, outdated and leaking supply and distribution piping are being replaced, with certain portions upgraded to larger diameters to support increased demands and fire suppression needs. Advanced metering and monitoring systems are being incorporated to address performance and operational efficiency, ensuring the long-term reliability of the water system.
Supporting Sustainability and Conservation
In keeping with NPS’s mission to preserve natural and cultural resources, the project integrates environmental protection measures to minimize its ecological impact while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Key conservation efforts include:
- Protected Wilderness Work: Operating within federally designated wilderness areas, the project requires a Wilderness Work Plan to minimize environmental disruptions. All activities adhere to the NPS’s strict wilderness conservation guidelines.
- Wildlife Protection: Complying with the Migratory Bird Act of 1918, the project safeguards migratory bird nests. Construction activities are monitored, and trenches are regularly inspected to protect wildlife and maintain ecological balance.
- Cultural Preservation: Archeological and cultural resource protection is prioritized, with measures to monitor and preserve cultural artifacts and heritage sites.
- Native Plant Restoration: Replanting exclusively uses locally appropriate native species. Measures to prevent non-native plants and salvage existing vegetation reflect the commitment to conserving natural resources.
A Meaningful Project
This is one of the first big projects where Doucet (acquired by Kleinfelder in June 2023) and Kleinfelder were able to come together and identify shared strengths and capabilities to execute a world-class project. It also has personal meaning for John Doucet, Executive Vice President of Doucet, whose long-time experience as a regular park visitor and understanding of the terrain and potential challenges to construction were instrumental in gaining the trust of our partners. In fact, John had his honeymoon at Big Bend Park and has been visiting annually.
“This project exemplifies the tremendous potential that Kleinfelder has to capitalize on our combined reputation and collective expertise to foster growth of the water market in Texas,” noted Rebecca Katzke, PE, PMP, CFM, ENV SP, Kleinfelder National Water Market Manager.
The upgraded infrastructure will not only enhance water efficiency and reduce leaks but also ensure the water system meets modern standards for resilience and sustainability. By aligning with the park’s mission to preserve natural and cultural resources, these improvements maintain the integrity of the park’s unique ecosystem, minimize environmental impact, and support Big Bend National Park’s long-term operational and sustainability goals.
Learn More
Read more about this project in the following published articles.
Texas Monthly: First Look: The $22 Million Makeover of Big Bend National Park’s Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Big Bend Sentinel: Big Bend National Park reveals preliminary plans for all-new Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Austin Chronicle: Plans announced in late April by the staff of Big Bend National Park call for the replacement of the Chisos Mountains Lodge by fall 2025.
