HomeMy WebLinkAbout700400.tiff THE BIJOU IRRIGATIJN DTSTRICI
107 W. Beaver Ave.
Fort Morgan, Colorado 80701
May 15, 1970
Mr. Byron Ewing, Eng.
Weld County Courthouse
Greeley, Colorado 80631
Pear Ryron:
At a special Directors meeting of The Bijou Irrigation District this morn-
ing :I presented the plans that you left with me concerning the North Channel
check at the Kuner crossing of the South Platte River. I explained the
drawing and gave the information on your plans as to the changes and _cons-
truction you had in mind; oiling of the fill, etc.
After considerable study and discussion, the Board decided that they eeuld
not approve the structure as planner' for the following reasons:
1. It was of their opinion that a fill covered with oil or asphalt
would not hold, basicly because oil weathers and deteriorates
rapidly. Two of our Board members have had considerable experience
with oil surfaces and know what moisture does under this king' )f
surface.
2. The overall installation does not insure the District with the
protection that they deem necessary.
3. Any plans that are presented would have to be accompa.jed with a
set of prints showing exactaly what is to be installed with a
copy for our files.
4. The overall installation must be designed and made in such a manner
that there will be no doubt about it holding.
After more discussion, it was suggested by the ',oard that in all pr t oaoi]I ty
the only satisfactory solution to the problem would be a concrete wall a:
high as the operating level needed to divert the water at our diversion
dam. This along with a couple of vents lacing apr. i:ximately 10 ft. wide that
could be cleared out if necessary. This structure would have to be see ca;
a foundation stable enough to insure thet the structure would not beeak
out , thus allowing the water to undercut .
My conclusion after studying the eeo jec e and talking with the Board i.: th a t
although the first cost of the concrete wall woul.'' be more than the type of
structure that your plans show, it woul be less costly in the long run.
Many of our big floods reach the elevate on. of the wing walls shown at 96.e0
on your drawing. Te is quite likely tc have enough force to pull the ell
^overing off the fill and after this happened it, would be only a matter of
minutes until the fil) would be gone. Should this happen and prevent the
irrigation District from drawing water et eritica:t times. It could lose
7c;0400 f (.`)(.T ; er
considerable loss to crops r:n thousands of acres of cropland served oy
this system by running out of water at a time of the year when the crops
are being finished. This could happen if water was being diverted. around
.-ur diversion.
have been i nt true ted by the Board to.work work with you and request a r�p iy
on this matter as soon ae possible. Since the Board feels that situation
is extremely critical ; they would like to h.~tve this information as soon
as possible.
'"he Board realized it would not be possible to do much construction a:
long as the river flow stays high, but they want all the plans and 4Oocol,nt
finalized so that construction could start as soon as this condition noes
not exist•
am sure that a satisfactory plan can le worked out to hE ref it hott E .art i is
ar:.d hr..rmontous relations will conti.nu•t.
am re turni.rg the plan tha r. you preset r:t ed to us.
Very truly
James F. Pugh, Sr. , Supersn.tencent
TH1 BTJ°: J IRRIGA'`. CIS Di.`✓' �L1.1i"�
JRP/jws
•
Hello