HomeMy WebLinkAbout960635.tiff 11955 Weld County Road 15
Longmont, Colorado 80504 c c 55
March 21, 1996 CLLR'.'TriWeld County Commissioners Mr. Rick Patterson, Maybt1 -
P.O. Box 758 P.O. Box 100
Greeley, Colorado 80632 Firestone, Colorado 80520
Ms. Linda Stepien, Mayor Mr. Edward Tagliente, Mayor
P.O. Box 186 P.O. Box 435
Dacono, Colorado 80514 Frederick, Colorado 80530
Re: Impact of Drainage Problems in Southwestern Weld County on the Last Chance Ditch
As a director of the Last Chance Ditch Company, I would like to inform you about and request
action regarding drainage problems in southwestern Weld County that are impacting the Last
Chance Ditch. The Last Chance Ditch runs from the St. Vrain River just west of the Barbour
Ponds State Recreation Area, flows east of Interstate 25 and returns to the river just south of
Highway 66. (See attached map.) As a result of urbanization in the area, large amounts of
wastewater, storm run-off and effluent flow into the ditch causing flooding and maintenance
problems that potentially expose the Company to liability for a situation over which it has little
or no control. Additionally, the uncontrolled drainage causes water quality problems in the ditch
in part because municipal effluent from the Weld County Tri-Area Sanitation District flows
down Mayfield Gulch into the ditch.
Because of the runoff problems in the area, the Company has faced unusually frequent flooding
problems, particularly after storms. This creates exposure to liability from nearby landowners
and increased maintenance problems for the Company. Even in the winter months when the
ditch headgates are closed, the ditch is full of water, much of which is from municipal effluent.
As a result, the Company has poor quality water. The Company also has increased maintenance
costs because the ditch never empties or freezes.
I understand that an Intergovernmental Agreement is currently being contemplated between Weld
County and the municipalities in southwestern Weld County (Firestone, Frederick and Dacono).
The Last Chance Ditch Company requests that this Agreement address the drainage problems
in the area and provide for development and implementation of a master drainage plan for the
area. More particularly, the wastewater, storm run-off and effluent currently being discharged
into the Last Chance Ditch should be promptly remedied so the ditch is not the drainage carrier
for the area.
If this problem is not resolved through an Intergovernmental Agreement or master drainage plan,
the Company will be forced to examine other alternatives such as installing a pipe in some places
so it can exclude drainage water. Another alternative might include selling the ditch to Weld
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County and other governmental entities so the ditch could be used for drainage with a
reservation by the Company to deliver water of acceptable quality.
Please notify us of the progress and public meetings involved in drafting and preparing the
Intergovernmental Agreement negotiations as well as any other event affecting drainage planning
in the area. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Harold Nelson, erector
Last Chance Ditch Company
cc: Lee Morrison, Esq., Weld County Attorney's Office
Monica Daniels-Mika, Planning Director
Drew L. Scheltinga, County Engineer
Don Sandoval, Regional Representative
Directors of Last Chance Ditch Company
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