Sky Mesa Ranch | Roaring Fork Engineering

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Sky Mesa Ranch

Comprehensive Site Infrastructure and Interconnected Water Features for a 36-Acre Estate

Sky Mesa Ranch is a 36-acre private property developed with an extensive site program: interconnected ponds, water features, a large-scale irrigation system, roads and access, and septic infrastructure all designed to function as a cohesive, well-executed site. The site also included a residential addition requiring full civil design — water, sewer, drainage, and dry utility infrastructure — integrated into the broader property program. Roaring Fork Engineering served as the civil engineer of record, managing the land-use applications and infrastructure design from early concept through project delivery.

Challenges & highlights

The water features were the defining design element of the property, and engineering them required more than basic drainage design. Multiple interconnected ponds were linked by weirs and recirculation infrastructure, creating a system that manages water levels, maintains flow, and supports the landscape aesthetic the owner envisioned. The irrigation system was designed to support the site’s turf and planting program at a scale appropriate to a property of this size.

A key focus of the project was the design of the landscape surrounding the residence, which incorporated ponds, wetlands, and an existing irrigation ditch. The irrigation ditch presented a specific engineering challenge: the design needed to be both aesthetically pleasing and geomorphically stable, addressing historical channel degradation through the use of in-channel rock structures and large woody debris. The ditch was designed to convey the property’s water rights through a series of wetlands and three landscaping ponds. Site grading and stormwater management were also engineered to direct storm runoff away from the residence.

Site access, road design, drainage, and septic systems rounded out the infrastructure program, all designed to Pitkin County standards and permitted through the county’s land use process. RFE prepared and managed the land use applications required for the project.

The results

Sky Mesa Ranch was successfully permitted and built out. The interconnected ponds and weir system RFE engineered actively manages water levels and flow across the site year-round. The irrigation ditch, redesigned for both stability and visual character, now conveys water rights through the wetlands and landscaping ponds as intended. Roads hold up across seasons, drainage moves runoff correctly, and the septic and irrigation systems support the full operational program of the property.

RFE secured land use approvals through Pitkin County, establishing the legal and regulatory foundation for the buildout required. RFE also prepared the grading and drainage plan for the entire property, managed utility infrastructure, and completed the design for the irrigation ditch, landscaping ponds, and wetlands. From entitlement through final site infrastructure, RFE delivered a complete civil program that performs reliably beneath everything the property does.

Elevation: 7,908

Location: Pitkin County, CO

Design of stream courses, ponds, and irrigation systems
Design of by-passes and pond level control to comply with the water rights
Site and utility design to serve multiple structures
Large septic system design with advanced TL3 treatment
Wet well design for pumps
Land use application and permitting

Build infrastructure that holds up

If your municipality is planning roadway improvements, utility expansions, or system upgrades, we are ready to support your team.