WSP08827

• File Number: 8220.122.J
• Description: Paonia Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 12/1/1971
• Title: Review of Condition of Project Facilities & Economy: Paonia Project CO
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

. Condition of Project Works

Paonia Dam

PaoniaDam is in good condition. The access shaft to the outlet
gates has seepage and condensation which causes fairly rapid deterior-
ation of paint on the steel of the elevator and shaft and other metal
10cated there. .A good clean up and paint job was done in the elevator
shaft this last spring. This condition can be improved by operating
the ventilating system continuously.

Fire Mountain Canal

As mentioned in the history of the project, the Fire Mountain
Canal was enlarged and extended early in the 1950s. During the period
1958 to 1961 an extensive lining construction program was accomplished
on the canal. Nearly all of the problem areas of the canal were. lined
at this time. However, during the original three year development
period for the Fire Mountain Block, several short section of the canal.
developed seepage spots. Most of these spots were lined with. earth
lining. To assist the water users in repairing spots in the. canal,
the development period was extended to 7 years and finally to 10
years. The enlarged and improved canal has nOW been in operation
about twenty years and appears to be in relaCive good condition.

,

During these periods of canal enlargement, extension and im-
provements by government construction contracts and improvements by!.
Fire Mountain Canal Company during the 10 year development period,
4,799 feet of the canal were lined with concrete,. 29,788 feet were
. thick earth full section lined, 13,874 feet of thick earth half section.
42,395 feet were lined with 6 inches of clay, 4,892 feet of concrete
. pipe in siphons, bench flumes and other structures were built. At the
present time, 59% of the 30 mile 10ng Fire Mountain Canal and 12% of.
the 3.5 mile long Fire Mountain Canal extension is lined or is in con-
. crete pipe.

One prominent slide area.locally known as the railroad slide area
10cated between station 79+75 and station 84+25 of the canal has been
active for severa 1 years and a solutionto this problem has not been
found. This area has required periodic maintenance and will continue
to require maintenance in the future. However. the canal company has
received assistance in the maintenance of this area from the railroad
company and the state highway department. These entities will be
involved in the futurealso.

In the "Fire Mountain Canal Permanent Improvement Report"
prepared for the North Fork Water Conservancy District. May 1971,
the statement is made that "at the present time, there are approx':
.imately 17 miles of the canal system in their original condition,
. without benefit of any subsequent permenent improvements. Almost
.. all of the 17 miles will eventuallyrequire permanent improvements
of one type or another, and in some instances, erosion has made the
necessity ofimmcdiatecorrective.measures imperative." A large
.part of the 17. miles mentioned in the District's.report was lined .
. with 6 in~hes of. gravelly clay lining at the time the canal was .
. . enlarged. Most of this l7miles of canal traverses fairly fIat