Cloward H2O, an expert in aquatic design, has won the Consultant category in the 15th Annual Danfoss EnVisioneer of the Year Awards for its contribution to the Montgomery Whitewater Center in Alabama, US.
Danfoss introduced the EnVisioneer of the Year competition in 2010 in response to increasing demand for recognition of commitment to greater standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable water use
Alabama’s new Montgomery Whitewater Center boasts a cutting-edge recirculating river system built for sustainable water use. It has two channels, a 1,600-foot Olympic-standard competition channel and a 2,200-foot creek channel, which imitate natural river settings and use a closed-loop water management system to save water and lessen its environmental effect. Furthermore, the facility promotes local tourism and outdoor recreation, which benefits community health and economic growth.
See also: Montgomery Whitewater: creating a new outdoor lifestyle destination
The project was delivered by Cloward H2O, together with S2O Design and Engineering, BNA Consulting, Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), Liquid Design, Motus Management, and others.
Allen Clawson, principal and managing partner at Cloward H2O, says: “Each of these partners brought specialized knowledge, passion, and a commitment to sustainability that made the Montgomery Whitewater Center the extraordinary facility it is today.
“While Cloward H2O is honored to receive the Danfoss EnVisioneer of the Year Award from the Danfoss team, we recognize that it is truly a shared achievement. This project stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when industry leaders come together with a common goal of innovation and environmental stewardship.”
A hub for adventure & sustainability
The Montgomery Whitewater Park project marks a key milestone in environmentally friendly outdoor recreation. This attraction integrates cutting-edge technologies that reduce water usage and improve energy efficiency, resulting in a lower environmental footprint than previous whitewater facilities.
Danfoss’ superior drive technology and control systems for managing water recirculation and other operational needs contributed to the project’s environmentally friendly approach. In addition, a unique partial siphon system was installed by the design team and Cloward H2O. This decreases the operating power of the Mass Flow Pumps once a steady state flow is established, minimising waste
The Cloward team also deployed a backwash recovery system to reduce water loss during cleaning. This system retains around 95% of the backwash volume. With this technology, annual water loss due to backwash is reduced to roughly 480,000 gallons of water, compared to approximately 14,640,000 gallons without the system. The holding tank also functions as makeup water recovery, further reducing total water loss.
Cloward H2O worked with landscaping to regulate grading and avoid runoff into the pond, and with civil engineers to guarantee correct drainage. The firm concentrated on reclaiming and purifying dirty water for reintroduction into the pond.
The firm also installed 24 high-rate horizontal media filters with Activated Filter Media (AFM) for filtration down to one micron, which can handle 18,000 gpm of total treatment flow. AFM increases clarity by removing tiny particles. An automated monitoring system was installed in the mechanical room to improve maintenance efficiency.
Reliability is key when a facility experiences high usage. The system incorporates redundancy for worst-case circumstances, but it runs efficiently at 50% capacity under normal conditions, preserving water quality. This adaptability enables it to quickly handle peak loads.
Meanwhile, Montgomery Whitewater Park can continue to deliver crystal-clear water in the off-season by keeping its recirculating system flowing in the lower pond. Cloward H2O’s aim with every project is to maintain a high-quality environment all year round.
Innovation & collaboration
The project team included:
- S2O Design and Engineering. S2O, known for their work on Olympic-standard whitewater venues across the world, had a critical role in developing the competition and creek channels that are at the heart of the Montgomery Whitewater Center, resulting in an experience that resembles natural river environments while maintaining the greatest levels of safety, performance, and sustainability.
- BNA Consulting. BNA Consulting’s power engineering knowledge was critical in ensuring that the Montgomery Whitewater Center met its ambitious energy efficiency goals. BNA’s extensive expertise in control systems, automation, and electrical infrastructure enabled the Consultancy to optimise energy usage and ensure that the complex systems run efficiently while minimising environmental impact.
- Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC). The Montgomery Whitewater Center is not only aesthetically pleasing but it was also created with a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC), a multidisciplinary design firm, played an important role in the civil engineering and landscaping work that conserved the area’s natural beauty while reducing the centre’s environmental impact.
- Liquid Design. The Montgomery Whitewater Center’s architecture and atmosphere were created by Liquid Design. The firm created buildings and spaces that harmonise with their surroundings while offering a cutting-edge, contemporary experience.
- Motus Management. Motus Management’s unrivalled expertise in managing complicated recreational facilities enabled the firm to expedite the design and construction processes at the Montgomery Whitewater Center.
- Danfoss. Danfoss played a pivotal role in transforming the integration of variable frequency drives (VFDs) within mechanical systems, and assisted in the configuration of the mechanical space to integrate the systems. Its knowledge of VFDs guaranteed its flawless integration with the mechanical equipment, optimising performance.
- J.M. Williams and Associates (JMWA). JMWA president James Williams is a key contributor to the Montgomery Whitewater Center’s success. The project drew on Williams’ unparalleled structural engineering expertise to shape the longevity of its water systems.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with these outstanding teams and look forward to future projects that push the boundaries of sustainable recreation,” says Clawson. “Together, we have not just created a venue; we have laid the groundwork for a new generation of whitewater facilities.”
“The project’s success is a testament to the remarkable contributions of our trusted partners. Their expertise, creativity, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design have truly been at the forefront of this achievement.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this collaborative endeavor, but we recognize that our role was just one part of a much larger effort. The visionary work of our partners not only made the project possible but elevated it into a groundbreaking model for eco-conscious recreation.
“Congratulations to Montgomery Center on an outstanding year of success! Their commitment to implementing innovative ideas and fresh business strategies is truly inspiring. As they continue to attract more customers and explore new initiatives, the positive impact of these efforts is eagerly anticipated.”
Last month, Cloward H2O shared some key design considerations for balance tanks, also called surge or collector tanks. A vital component in pool design, balance tanks manage the water displaced by swimmers to maintain a consistent water level.
