Laserfiche WebLink
<br />001560 <br /> <br />Chapter 3 - Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences <br /> <br />Public Safety <br /> <br />Issue: The dam poses a significant safety threat to all forms of water recreation in the <br />vicinity of the darn. <br /> <br />Existing Conditions: The Price-Stubb Diversion Darn is an extremely hazardous <br />structure. A January 19991etter from Mesa County Irrigation District describes the Price-Stubb <br />Diversion Darn as ". . . a deadly hazard to people who climb on or slide down the darn and to <br />boaters who unwittingly go over the darn." Drowning fatalities at the darn site were confirmed <br />by several sources, but no statistics were available (conversations with Town of Palisade, Mesa <br />County Health Department Vital Statistics, Mesa County Sheriff, and the Emergency Medical <br />Services Coordinator for Saint Mary's Hospital). A January 19991etter from a board member of <br />the Western Association to Enjoy Rivers reports the Price-Stubb Dam is listed as one of the <br />state's top ten river safety "hotspots." <br /> <br />Impacts <br /> <br />No Action: The safety hazard would not change. As river recreation grows, more <br />accidents at this darn will be likely. A warning sign is posted upstream of the Price-Stubb <br />Diversion Darn, but due to the restricted access, the narrow river, and corresponding faster river <br />velocities, the darn poses a significant risk to boaters, especially to those who may not be familiar <br />with the hazard. <br /> <br />Fish Ladder (with or without Hydropower Plant): As for the No Action alternative, <br />constructing a fish ladder around the diversion dam would not change the existing safety hazard. <br /> <br />Dam Removal: Removal would eliminate the safety hazard. After removal of the dam, <br />the river channel would be typical of similar sections of the Colorado River. All protruding rebar <br />would be removed from the remaining concrete. Riprap would be placed at each abutment to <br />eliminate any vertical concrete faces. The riprap would create sloped surfaces similar to the river <br />banks upstream and downstream of the abutments. <br /> <br />In conjunction with darn removal, one of the options for protecting the ability of Ute Water to <br />pump from the Colorado River (see page 14) would be implemented. Options 1 and 2 would <br />have no effect on public safety. However, designs for option 3, which involves constructing a <br />low head darn immediately downstream from the pump plant, would consider boating safety. <br /> <br />28 <br />