Laserfiche WebLink
<br />UU.lvOl <br /> <br />Land and Facility Resources <br /> <br />Land and Facility Resources <br /> <br />During construction of any of the action alternatives, an increase in noise and traffic would <br />occur. To date, Reclamation has not been advised of concerns for disturbances during <br />construction. Any complaints would be resolved on a case-by-case basis. The Colorado <br />Department of Transportation has advised Reclamation that access to the site from Interstate 70 <br />will not be granted. <br /> <br />Protect Existing Structures <br /> <br />The fish passage project could affect three existing structures in the project area: 1) the Union <br />Pacific Railroad on the right bank of the river; 2) the Interstate 70 highway on the left bank; and <br />3) the Colorado River Siphon about 3,600 feet upstream from the dam. The highway, railroad <br />and siphon were built considering river flow and stream bank conditions that exist with the dam <br />in place. Reclamation constructed the siphon, which is a pipeline under the riverbed that carries <br />water from the Government Highline Canal to the Orchard Mesa Power Canal. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Two factors could affect these structures: 1) scour of the riverbed and banks, and 2) wetting the <br />foundation of the railroad or interstate. River scour is a function of the velocity of the river, the <br />size of the cobbles in the riverbed, and the size of the riprap along the banks. If the dam is <br />removed, the velocity of the water in the river will increase, As the velocity increases, the ability <br />of the water to scour the banks and riverbed increases. If the banks and streambed are not <br />adequately protected, the scour could move horizontally toward the railroad and interstate. <br />Riverbed scour could extend upstream and could expose and damage the siphon. <br /> <br />Wetting (saturating) the foundation of the railroad or highway would weaken the foundation. If <br />actions taken at the site raise or lower existing water levels, there could be impacts to these <br />structures. Since the siphon is buried beneath the riverbed, foundation wetting is not a concern. <br /> <br />Issue: Effect of alternatives on integrity and use of the highway, railroad, and siphon. <br /> <br />Existing Conditions: Upstream and downstream from the Price-Stubb Dam, riprap <br />protects the foundations of 1-70 and the railroad, The siphon is located in a stable portion of the <br />riverbed that has not shown significant scour. During flood stages and the corresponding high <br />water levels, the railroad bed has reportedly become weaker due to foundation saturation in the <br />vicinity of the dam. This is not a known issue with the interstate highway. <br /> <br />Impacts <br /> <br />No Action: The No Action alternative assumes a hydropower plant would be built under <br />the existing FERC license, but with no fish ladder requirement. The hydropower plant would <br />divert water for power generation. The design capacity of the plant is about 2,100 cfs, A <br /> <br />29 <br />