Water · Land · Agriculture · Geospatial

Water Resources & Floodplain Engineering for Western Colorado.

Serving the Roaring Fork Valley from Glenwood Springs to Aspen with practical, affordable engineering and geospatial solutions — floodplain permitting, hydrologic & hydraulic modeling, debris flow studies, irrigation & ditch systems, and GIS-based water management.

Who We Help
Developers Agricultural Producers Municipalities Ditch & Irrigation Companies Landowners
Who We Are

Specialized engineering & geospatial consulting for the Mountain West.

Clearwater Resources is an owner-operated firm focused on hydrology, hydraulics, agricultural water systems, floodplain analysis, and GIS-based infrastructure management — across Colorado and the Mountain West.

Water Resources

Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for rivers, drainage systems, and rural water infrastructure.

Learn More

Land Development

Hydrology, hydraulics, and permitting support for development projects in flood-prone and mountainous environments.

Learn More

Agricultural Systems

Engineering and GIS-based water management for irrigation systems, ditch companies, and NRCS conservation programs.

Learn More

Geospatial

Spatial data, mapping, and GIS systems that support better decisions.

Learn More
How We Work

A straightforward process, built to deliver.

01

Assess

We start by understanding the site, the system, and the regulatory context — no assumptions.

02

Plan

We develop practical, defensible solutions aligned with your timeline and budget.

03

Manage

We provide ongoing studies, system management, and technical oversight to keep your project on track and in compliance.

Why Clearwater Resources

15 years of large-firm experience. Specialized expertise, delivered directly.

01

Owner-Operated

You work directly with the engineer. No bureaucracy, no handoffs, no junior staff doing the technical work.

02

Specialized & Technical

Deep focus on floodplain, hydraulic, and agricultural water systems — backed by HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and ArcGIS Pro.

03

Responsive & Local

Based in the Roaring Fork Valley. Fast turnaround, clear communication, and on-the-ground familiarity with Western Colorado.

04

Practical & Efficient

Lower overhead than large consulting firms — without sacrificing technical rigor or defensible documentation.

Let's Talk

Let's discuss your project.

Whether you're in planning, permitting, or implementation — we'll help you move forward with clarity.

About CWR

A water resources PE in your corner.

Clearwater Resources is an owner-operated engineering and geospatial consulting practice — focused on water, floodplain, and agricultural systems throughout Western Colorado.

Principal & Owner

Photo coming soon
Licenses PE — Colorado & Nebraska
Certifications NRCS TSP
Education MS Civil Engineering, UNL
Experience 15+ Years

Taylor Wiese, PE

Principal Engineer & Owner

Taylor Wiese is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 15 years of experience in water resources engineering, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and floodplain analysis. He founded Clearwater Resources to bring senior-level technical expertise directly to clients in Western Colorado — without the overhead and handoffs that come with larger firms.

Taylor's career spans federal transportation programs, municipal stormwater systems, FEMA permitting, dam and levee engineering, and agricultural water infrastructure. At HDR, he led over 100 bridge and culvert H&H studies for Union Pacific Railroad and multiple state DOTs, and was personally trained by HEC-RAS founder Gary Brunner. At AECOM, he specialized in FEMA CLOMR/LOMR projects and 1D/2D hydraulic modeling for complex floodplain permitting cases across Colorado.

Based in the Roaring Fork Valley, Taylor brings a rare combination of large-firm technical depth and the responsiveness of a local, owner-operated practice. He works directly on every project — from scoping and modeling through permit submission and client communication.

HEC-RAS 1D/2D HEC-HMS FEMA CLOMR/LOMR XPSWMM InfoWorks ICM ArcGIS Pro Bridge & Culvert H&H Stormwater Dams & Levees

Company Overview

The engineering depth of a big firm, without the overhead.

Clearwater Resources is an owner-operated engineering and geospatial consulting practice focused on water resources, floodplain analysis, agricultural water systems, and hydrologic modeling throughout Western Colorado.

By operating as a focused independent practice, CWR is able to provide responsive communication, practical solutions, and cost-effective engineering services without the overhead associated with larger consulting firms.

Based in the Roaring Fork Valley, CWR serves clients from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and throughout the surrounding mountain communities.

Mission

To provide practical, innovative, and data-driven solutions for water, land, and infrastructure systems.

Core Values

  • Technical Excellence — engineering solutions grounded in sound science and real-world experience.
  • Practical Solutions — focused on realistic implementation and long-term functionality.
  • Stewardship — supporting responsible management of water and land resources.
  • Innovation — combining engineering with GIS and data-driven tools to improve decision-making.

Technical Capabilities

CWR delivers projects using industry-standard modeling and design platforms — including HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, ArcGIS Pro, and Civil 3D — paired with NRCS Technical Service Provider certifications and FEMA floodplain analysis experience.

  • HEC-RAS & HEC-HMS hydraulic and hydrologic modeling
  • FEMA floodplain analysis (CLOMR/LOMR, no-rise)
  • ArcGIS Pro geospatial systems & web GIS
  • NRCS TSP capabilities across irrigation, drainage, and conveyance practices
  • Civil 3D drainage and grading design
Services

Four practice areas. One responsive team.

Specialized engineering and geospatial services across Western Colorado — built around floodplain analysis, hydraulic modeling, agricultural water systems, and GIS-based infrastructure management. Each card below leads to its full service list and technical details.

Water Resources

Hydrologic and hydraulic engineering for rivers, drainage systems, flood studies, and rural water infrastructure — practical, technically sound solutions for small communities, infrastructure owners, and water organizations.

  • HEC-HMS Hydrologic Modeling
  • HEC-RAS 1D/2D Modeling
  • Small Dams & Reservoirs
  • Canals & Diversion Systems
  • Rural Drainage Systems
  • Flow Monitoring & Water Data

Land Development

Hydrology, hydraulics, and permitting support for development projects in flood-prone and mountainous environments — helping clients navigate regulatory requirements while designing practical, resilient infrastructure.

  • Floodplain Permitting
  • Drainage Studies
  • Debris Flow Studies
  • Fluvial Hazard Assessments
  • Bridge & Culvert Analysis
  • Well Testing

Agricultural Systems

Engineering and GIS-based water management for irrigation systems, ditch companies, and NRCS conservation programs — combining field inventories, hydraulic evaluations, and geospatial systems.

  • NRCS TSP Services
  • Irrigation Evaluations
  • Ditch Company GIS Systems
  • Water Budget Analysis
  • Seepage Analysis
  • Canal Inventories

Geospatial

Spatial data, mapping, and GIS-based system development that turns complex datasets into clear, actionable insights.

  • Data Management
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Cartography & Visualization
  • Web GIS & Dashboards
  • Field Data Collection
  • Asset Mapping
Home / Services / Water Resources
Water Resources

Hydrologic & hydraulic engineering for rivers, drainage, and rural water systems.

CWR provides hydrologic and hydraulic engineering services for rivers, drainage systems, flood studies, and rural water infrastructure. The division specializes in practical, technically sound solutions for small communities, infrastructure owners, and water organizations throughout Western Colorado.

Core Services

Select a service to explore details.

Back to all services
Home / Services / Land Development
Land Development

Hydrology, hydraulics, and permitting for mountain & floodplain development.

CWR provides hydrology, hydraulics, and permitting support for land development projects located within complex floodplain and mountainous environments. The division focuses on helping clients navigate regulatory requirements while designing practical and resilient infrastructure systems.

Core Services

Select a service to explore details.

Back to all services
Home / Services / Agricultural Systems
Agricultural Systems

Engineering & GIS-based water management for agriculture.

CWR supports agricultural producers, irrigation systems, ditch companies, and conservation projects through engineering analysis and GIS-based water management tools. The division combines field inventories, hydraulic evaluations, and geospatial systems to help organizations better understand and manage water distribution infrastructure.

Core Services

Select a service to explore details.

Software Platform Beta · Invite Only

DitchWorks — a modern operations platform for ditch and irrigation companies.

DitchWorks is CWR's purpose-built web platform for managing irrigation infrastructure. It combines GIS mapping, water budgeting, and field measurement workflows in a single tool — so ditch managers can see their whole system, track daily deliveries, and identify losses with confidence.

Currently in private beta with a Roaring Fork Valley ditch company. Onboarding additional pilot companies in 2026.

  • Full GIS inventory of diversions, turnouts, headgates, users, and ditches
  • Volume-based water budgeting in acre-feet over any simulation period
  • Field-friendly gage readings — Parshall, Cipoletti, rated section, or staff
  • Back-solved seepage calibration from real flow measurements
  • Shapefile import & export — works with your existing data
  • Browser-based — no installs, works on any device with internet
What it does

  • Map your system

    Build a complete inventory of every diversion, structure, turnout, user, and ditch on an interactive map.

  • Run the water budget

    Set diversion and turnout flows, run a 24-hour budget, and see exactly where every drop of water goes.

  • Calibrate with real data

    Enter gage readings from the field and let DitchWorks back-solve seepage rates for each section of canal.

  • Find the losses

    Track where water is being lost to seepage, evaporation, or unaccounted tailwater — section by section.

Back to all services
Home / Services / Geospatial
Geospatial

Spatial data, mapping, and GIS systems that support better decisions.

The Geospatial practice transforms complex datasets into clear, actionable insights that improve decision-making, planning, and long-term system management. Geospatial services are delivered as standalone projects and as an integrated component of CWR's broader work.

Core Services

Select a service to explore details.

Back to all services

Services Include

    Back to services
    Projects

    Selected work, across disciplines.

    Featured projects organized by division — floodplain & drainage, river & hydraulic modeling, agricultural water systems, and GIS infrastructure systems. A curated set of case studies is in development.

    Coming Soon

    Case studies are in development.

    In the meantime, reach out to discuss specific experience relevant to your project. We're happy to walk through past work in detail.

    Contact

    Let's discuss your project.

    Tell us about your project — we'll respond within one business day.

    Get in touch

    Email
    taylor@cwreng.com
    Phone
    (970) 379-2945
    Service Area
    Roaring Fork Valley
    Glenwood Springs to Aspen — and throughout Western Colorado & the Mountain West
    Professional Background

    Taylor Wiese, PE

    Civil Engineer — Water Resources  ·  Principal, Clearwater Resources Engineering

    Back to About
    Summary

    Water resources engineer with over 15 years of experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, FEMA floodplain permitting, stormwater management, and infrastructure design. Career spans federal transportation programs (Union Pacific Railroad, state DOTs), municipal stormwater, dam and levee construction oversight, and complex CLOMR/LOMR projects. Personally trained by HEC-RAS founder Gary Brunner. Licensed PE in Colorado and Nebraska. Now operating independently through Clearwater Resources Engineering, based in Glenwood Springs, CO.

    Credentials
    Licenses

    Professional Engineer — Colorado (PE.0066119)

    Professional Engineer — Nebraska (E-17178)

    Certifications

    NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP)

    Education

    MS Civil Engineering — University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 2017

    BS Biological Systems Engineering — University of Nebraska–Lincoln, 2013

    Experience

    Taylor has worked for top-tier engineering firms including HDR and AECOM, accumulating over 15 years of project experience across federal transportation programs, municipal stormwater systems, FEMA floodplain permitting, dam and levee construction oversight, and agricultural water infrastructure. He was personally trained by Gary Brunner, founder of HEC-RAS, and has served as a primary technical reviewer for complex regulatory H&H submittals. Through Clearwater Resources, he now brings that large-firm depth directly to clients in Western Colorado.

    Technical Skills
    H&H Modeling

    HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, XPSWMM (1D/2D), InfoWorks ICM, SRH-2D, HydroCAD

    GIS & CAD

    ArcGIS Pro, ArcHydro, Civil 3D, ArcGIS Online, Field Maps, Survey123

    Regulatory

    FEMA CLOMR/LOMR, No-Rise Certifications, Section 404 Permitting, NRCS TSP

    Specialty Areas

    Bridge & culvert hydraulics, stormwater master planning, dam & levee analysis, groundwater data analysis, 3D geologic modeling

    Selected Projects
    NeDNR Real-Time Flood Forecasting — Nebraska
    HDR · 2021–2023

    Led development of 50+ 2D HEC-RAS hydraulic models calibrated to USGS gage data, generating inundation maps at 0.5-ft stage intervals from low flood stage through the Probable Maximum Precipitation event. Models support statewide emergency response planning.

    Sand Creek LOMR — Denver, CO
    AECOM · 2024

    Led FEMA LOMR development for the City Park East & West redevelopment. Consolidated multiple prior CLOMRs into a comprehensive HEC-RAS model and coordinated final package submission to MHFD and FEMA.

    Big Thompson River CLOMR — US-34, CO
    AECOM · 2024

    Developed detailed HEC-RAS model from Lake Estes to The Narrows in support of proposed roadway improvements. Coordinated CLOMR submission to CWCB and FEMA.

    Union Pacific Railroad Bridge Replacement Program
    HDR · 2012–2023

    Completed over 75 bridge and culvert H&H analyses supporting Union Pacific's annual bridge replacement initiative. Coordinated with CDOT, NDOT, IaDOT, TxDOT, LADOTD, and KDOT on state-specific regulatory compliance.

    Cedar Rapids Stormwater Master Plan — Iowa
    HDR · 2020

    Developed existing-conditions InfoWorks ICM model to identify drainage deficiencies and proposed flood mitigation strategies for the City's Stormwater Management Plan update.

    Freeport, TX Levee Improvement — USACE
    HDR · 2020

    Supported USACE on a levee raising project protecting the City of Freeport and major industrial stakeholders including DOW Chemical and the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Coordinated interior drainage and levee design integration.

    Ready to discuss your project?

    Taylor works directly on every engagement — from scoping through delivery.