Del Bottcher, PhD, PE President dbottcher@swet.com

WORK EXPERIENCE

President March, 1986 - present
Soil and Water Engineering Technology, Inc. (SWET)
Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor June, 1978 - June, 1993
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University. 1978. West Lafayette, Indiana
Dissertation Title: "Simulation of a Tile Drainage System with Associated Sediment Transport".

M.S., Agricultural Engineering, University of Florida. 1974. Gainesville, Florida
Thesis Title: "Clogging of Drip Irrigation Emitters by Dissolved Calcium Carbonate".

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, University of South Florida. 1972. Tampa, Florida

RELATED MAJOR RESEARCH CONTRACTS AND GRANTS

• 1999-02 Upgrade of the Field Scale Model of EAAMOD. Funded by the South Florida Water management District
• 1999-01 Development of Phosphorus Retention/Assimilation Algorithm for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed. Funded by the South Florida Water management District.
• 1998-02 Evaluation of Limestone and Gypsum for Reducing Leaching and Runoff from Beef Cattle Pastures. Funded by the South Florida Water Management District.
• 1998-02 C-139 Synoptic Monitoring and BMP Research Project. Funded by the South Florida Water Management District
• 1998-01 Phase II &III - GIS Based WAM Modeling of the Lower St. Johns River Basin. Funded by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
• 1998-99 Modeling the Okura Basin, Auckland, New Zealand. Funded by the Auckland Regional Council.
• 1998-03 Water Quality Modeling and Monitoring of the Stargrass Research Project. Funded by the University of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District.
• 1996-98 Deep Creek Watershed Assessment Project. Funded by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
• 1995 Assessment of Non-Compliance Dairy Discharges in the Okeechobee Basin. Funded by the South Florida Water Management District.
• 1995-97 GIS Watershed Assessment Project for the Suwannee River Basin. Determination of relative water quality impacts of various land uses within basin. Funded by the Suwannee River Water Management District.
• 1994-95 Determining Effectiveness of Various Components of a Dairy Waste Management System for Controlling N and P Losses to Surface and Ground Waters. Funded by Fla. Dept. of Environmental Regulation. 1993-96 Evaluation of Agricultural BMPs for the Lower St. Johns River Agricultural Area. Funded by St. Johns River WMD.
• 1993-96 Assessment and Design of Alternative Regional Treatment for the Technologies Lower St. Johns River Agricultural Area. Funded by St. Johns River WMD.
• 1993-00 Modeling of Agricultural BMPs for the Everglades Agricultural Area. Funded by EAA-Environmental Protection District.
• 1992-97 Implementation and Verification of BMPs for Reducing P Loading in the EAA. Funded by the EAA Environment Protection District.
• 1993-94 Leakage Detection and Mitigation for Dairy Waste Lagoons and Storage Ponds. Funded by Fla. Dept. of Env. Regulation.
• 1990-94 Middle Suwannee River Hydrologic Unit Project for Animal Waste BMP Implementation. Funded by USDA Extension Special Water Quality Program, Washington, DC
• 1989-94 Development of the Basin New Zealand Model (BNZ). National Water Quality Center in New Zealand. Funded NZ Water Quality Center.
• 1992 Assessment of Agricultural Water Quality Information Needs and Delivery Programs. Funded by Fla. Dept. of Environmental Reg.
• 1990-91 BMPs for Mitigating Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater under North Florida Dairies. Funded by Fl. Dept. of Environmental Regulations.
• 1987-91 Biogeochemical Behavior and Transport of Phosphorus in the Lake Okeechobee Basin. Funded by the SFWMD.
• 1986-91 The Effect of On-Farm Agricultural Practices in the Organic Soils in the EAA on Phosphorus and Nitrogen Leaching. Funded by the SFWMD.
• 1987-90 Development of Fertilization Practices for Beef Cattle Pastures to Minimize Nutrient Loss in Runoff. Funded by the SFWMD.
• 1987 Visiting Faculty Position for Assessment and Implementation of Agricultural Water Quality Research Projects for Lake Okeechobee Basin. Funded by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
• 1984-86 Development and Verification of an Analytical Model for Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Practices on Water Quantity and Quality. Funded by the SFWMD.

PERTINENT SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Tile Drainage Simulation Model, developed during work at Purdue and refined and published while at Florida, has the capability to predict both the water and suspended solids losses from a large field subsurface drainage system. The model uses GASP IV simulation language and provides continuous soil profile moisture, sediment concentration, and outflow data in both graphical and tabular form.

CREAMS-WT, Water Table Modification of CREAMS was developed for Florida's high water table conditions. The modifications allowed the tracking of a water table within the root zone which was not done in CREAMS. Conrad Heatwole, Ph.D. graduate student, was responsible for accomplishing this task.

River Basin Water Quality Model was developed which employs available land use and soil properties data to predict the impact of a best management practice (BMP) implementation program for a large river basin. The model was calibrated and verified using data from the Lower Kissimmee River and Taylor Creek-Nubbin Slough Basins in South Florida.

WQFARM, Parameter Generation, Execution, and Interpretation Software Package which uses CREAM-WT was developed. The program asks the user vital questions about their farming system in order to generate the necessary data to execute an existing water quality evaluation model call CREAMS-WT. The model output is interpreted and presented to the user in an understandable fashion. This was the forerunner of the LOADDS model.

Optimization Strategies Model for Evaluation Nutrient Runoff and Leaching potential for agricultural systems was developed. Geostatistical techniques were used to reduce estimation errors associated with point sampling. Actual field studies were conducted to verify optimal strategies.

User Friendly Computerized Retrieval System and data base for water quality research done in Florida was developed. A water quality glossary was also developed as part of this program.

Computerized Graphical Display Interface for presenting the movement of pesticides under varying soil, chemical, and climate conditions was developed. The program was used to demonstrate visually the processes of in-soil pesticide movement during workshops and in-service-training programs.

Interactive Multi-Routing Flood Analysis Program to evaluate flood potentials in hydrologic systems with up to twenty subwatersheds and reservoirs/lakes was developed for a dam failure analysis project.

Interactive Percolation Pond Seepage Analysis Program, called MOUND, was developed. The program can be used to determine the adequacy of waste treatment percolation pond designs. This program prevented the installation of a waste treatment facility on insufficient soils near Lake Santa Fe, FL.

Basin New Zealand Model (BNZ) was developed for the prediction of water, sediment, and nutrient losses from large watersheds in New Zealand as impacted by land use changes. The model has data management and input file generation features as well as color graphics as an output option. The model was completed while on sabbatical with the New Zealand National Water Quality Center.

Field-Scale Phosphorus Transport Model for the EAA (EAAMOD) for soils with restricting layers was developed. This model handles flow and phosphorus movement in three subsurface layers plus surface runoff. It has been verified for use in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

Suwannee River Watershed Assessment Model (SRWAM) has been developed that does a complete watershed assessment for water quality (nutrients, BOD, toxins, coliform bacteria, and sediments), flood proneness, wildlife diversity, and wetland value. The model uses GIS coverages of land use and soils to development a spatial depiction of the watershed. The unique combinations of soils and land use are simulated using GLEAMS and then are routed to the basin outlet using 1st order assimilation coefficients.

St. Johns River Watershed Assessment Model (SRJ-WAM) has been developed that does a complete watershed assessment for water quality (nutrients, BOD, toxins, coliform bacteria, and sediments), flood proneness, wildlife diversity, and wetland value. The model is similar to the SR-WAM model but has a much more comprehensive stream routing submodel, which produces detailed daily time series of constituent and water discharges. The model uses GIS coverages of land use and soils to development a spatial depiction of the watershed. The unique combinations of soils and land use are simulated using GLEAMS, EAAMOD, and other land use specify submodels, that are then routed to the basin outlet using 1st order assimilation coefficients.

Model for Regional Treatment of Agricultural Drainage. A detailed design/costing model was developed for two selected treatment alternatives for agricultural drainage. The model handles both wetland treatment and chemical treatment systems. The model was applied to the 15 highest ranking basins within the potato farming area near Hastings, Florida. The cost-effectiveness of each treatment can then be ranked by basin.

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

• Registered Professional Engineer (Florida-1980) PE-0031056
• Registered Professional Engineer (Georgia-1996) PE-023452
• Registered Professional Engineer (North Carolina-1997) PE-022726

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Agricultural Engineers: Florida-Caribbean Section of ASAE, Treasurer (1983 - 1985), Program Chairman (1987), Chairman (1987-88) Water Environment Federation

MAJOR AWARDS

Received the 1992 USDA Distinguished Service Award from the Secretary of Agriculture for work on the Everglades water quality issue and related BMP development throughout Florida (Highest award presented by the US Department of Agriculture).

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Classes Taught at University of Florida (1980 - 1993)

• AGE 4233 "Drainage and Structure Design"
• AGE 3212 "Soil and Water Conservation Engr."
• AGE 4213 "Adv. Soil and Water Conservation Engr."
• MAG 3732 "Water Management"

STATE ADVISORY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

1995-Pres Statewide Animal Husbandry rule technical advisory by FDEP.

1989-90 Member of North Florida Dairy Fact-Finding Committee formed by the Secretary of FDER.

1987-88 Technical Committee for the development of the Okeechobee Dairy Rule.

1986 Technical subcommittees of the LOTAC (Lake Okeechobee Technical Advisory Committee, formed by the Governor) which evaluated alternatives for improving the Lake's eutrophic status.

1981-82 Member of the Taylor Creek-Nubbin Slough RCWP (Rural Clean Water Project) Technical Advisory Committee.

1979-81 Member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Council of the Restoration of the Kissimmee River Valley and Taylor Creek-Nubbin Slough Basin.

PRIVATE CLIENTS - CONSULTING ACTIVITIES

1. Provided an erosion and sedimentation analysis for a development project in Tifton, Georgia to determine if a downstream landowner was impacted by the development. The analysis clearly defined the extent of the damage and the developer parties were found to pay damages. Required a court testimony.

2. Provided the engineering and construction designs for a large sedimentation removal/disposal project for Heritage Lakes in Indiana. The project included estimation of sediment (approximately 65,000 yd3), development of removal techniques, lake drawdown sequence, and the design of perimeter diking, sediment retention dams and internal drainage for the disposal areas. The disposal sites were designed to become recreational areas. A watershed erosion survey was done to develop a sedimentation control program for contributing streams in order to reduce future sedimentation rates.

3. Developed an interactive multi-routing flood analysis model to evaluate flood potentials in hydrologic systems with up to twenty subwatersheds and reservoirs/lakes. This model was developed to evaluate a dam failure in southern Georgia. The analysis showed clearly that the original dam design was inadequate and liability was given to the builder. Required court testimony.

4. The above multi-routing flood analysis model was used again to evaluate the flood potential in a residence in Tifton, Georgia. The analysis showed that the residence would have water in the house about once every seventeen years due to commercial development in the area. Previous return period would have been well over fifty years. This residence had seven dam/reservoirs upstream. 1986.

5. Developed an interactive percolation pond seepage analysis program for the homeowners on Lake Santa Fe, Florida. The program was used to determine the adequacy of a proposed waste treatment percolation pond design for a new development. The analysis found errors in the previous design and there by prevented the installation of a waste treatment facility on inadequate soils. Required a hearing testimony. 1987.

6. Provided an erosion and sedimentation analysis for Clay County Legal Council Office, Green Cove, Florida to determine if a county road project caused sedimentation damage to a downstream property owner. The study found no impact on the property owner. 1988.

7. Served as project technical advisor for the project entitled "S4 Basin Nutrient Reduction Plan", Briley, Wild and Associates, Inc. (Engineering Consulting Firm), Ormond Beach, Florida. Provided the water quality monitoring design and provided technical review. 1988-89.

8. Served as project technical advisor for the project entitled "Agricultural Nonpoint Source Study for the Lower St. Johns River Basin", Mock, Roos & Associates, Inc. (Engineering Consulting Firm). Provided the detailed monitoring equipment design and sampling protocols. The flow monitoring was an unique design enabling the existing flashboard risers to be used for flow measurement and the normal water level control by the farmer. 1990.

9. Provided a runoff and retention pond requirement analysis the Revised Church of the Latter Day Saints, Gainesville, FL. Required presentation before the County Commission. Church received permission to build. 1990.

10. Serving as technical advisor for the project entitled "Stormwater Utility for Everglades Agricultural Area" with Camp Dresser and McKee Inc.

11. Serving as technical advisor for the project to evaluate the BMP cost-effectiveness for the Everglades Agricultural Area with Brown and Caldwell Consultants.

12. Designed a storm water treatment system using alum for the City of West Palm Beach.

13. Designed the first two permitted "Rotationally Grazed Dairies" in the State of Florida. The dairies are very environment and neighbor friendly through the natural recycling of nutrient on the farm.

14. Provide continued permit and water quality design support for several major Florida dairies.

15. Provided a hydrologic assignment of a major wetland mitigation project in southern Georgia. Involved the modeling of the hydrologic impacts of the restoration project.

16. Simulated the impacts of using sod production for wastewater treatment for the Jacksonville Anheiser-Busch brewery.

17. Designed and installed two monitoring stations for the storm water discharge from a large Okeelanta sugar mill in the Everglades Agricultural Area.

18. Conduct evapotranspiration studies for the Florida Phosphate Institute.

19. Completed an assessment of the City of Tifton's drainage plan for a client that was having land condemned for a flood control retention pond. Worked with both parties to come up with a mutually acceptable solution that provided both flood protection and development potential on the property.