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<br />Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District <br /> <br /> <br />-x:.rEM ~c <br />-3 /lz..1 q~ <br />, ," <br />() <br />~ <br /> <br />.... <br /> <br />- - <br />~~~~-~~--::~. - - <br />--___ ..,s..tA!.':')"'\::- .J..". 3--.~~ <br />L _____~.::.__ __~. -.=.: <br />--=- ----- <br />._-- ..... <br /> <br />9 February 1996 <br /> <br />FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE <br />RECONSTRUCTION OF THE INTAKE OF THE <br />CARY DITCH <br /> <br />PROJECT PLAN, PURPOSE AND NEED <br /> <br />The Cary Ditch with its present diversion on the Yampa <br />River, 2 miles west of Hayden at river mile 165, serves four <br />ranchers with water rights to totaling 26 cfs. The location <br />and elevation of the head-gate adjacent to highway 40 is such <br />that come August the water level is so low that diversion is <br />impossible. The present solution is to construct every year <br />two temporary dams, one across the main channel and the other <br />across a side channel. The location of the present diversion <br />is shown on the map marked exhibit "A" and aerial photo "C". <br />The temporary dams are shown by photos as exhibit "B". Photo <br />"X" shows the dike just down stream of the head gate (not <br />visible) with bulldozer poised for action. Photo "Y" shows <br />the dam in the side channel. Photo "Z" is an overview of the <br />dam showing how close it is to highway 40. This explains why <br />there has been so much unfavorable public comment about these <br />structures. Of course, both dams wash out every year during <br />the spring runoff. We should mention in passing that the <br />ranchers do not need a 404, dredge and fill permit to <br />construct these temporary dams. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Conservation District did an in-depth <br />survey of the problem of low river diversions on the Yampa. <br />This report states that the Cary Ditch with its temporary <br />dams has probably the worst impact on the river ecosystem and <br />should be corrected. This report contains the following <br />statement: <br /> <br />NAVIGABILITY BY FISH AND WATERCRAFT <br />This is a potential passage problem for fish and <br />watercraft when both channels are fully blocked and/or <br />flows are low due to water filtering through the rock <br />core rather than flowing over. Apparently that <br />condition exists very seldom. The large braided area <br />downstream lacks a clear low flow channel which also <br />creates a,navigation limitation. <br /> <br />This explains why there is a "need1' to correct an on- <br />going problem that has a very serious adverse impact on the <br />fishery and environment. <br /> <br />Phone: (303) 879.2424 <br /> <br />Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80488,0339 <br />