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<br />001069 <br /> <br />Final Environmental Assessment-Chapter 2-Alternatives <br /> <br />are not met prior to construction, Reclamation would construct the Downstream Rock <br />Fish Passage Alternative. <br /> <br />Recreational features include constructing a second notch in the Price-Stubb Diversion <br />Dam for rafts and kayaks, and constructing a series of four rock weirs using grouted <br />riprap to create desired whitewater conditions adjacent to the fish passage channel. The <br />fish passage channel would be lengthened from 550 feet to 860 feet to create safer <br />boating conditions for rafts and kayaks. Under this alternative, the Town of Palisade <br />would obtain public access below the dam via an existing road through Union Pacific <br />Railroad and E.R. Jacobson properties. A foot path from a parking area on the E.R <br />Jacobson property to the whitewater features would also be constructed. The public <br />could also access the features from Colorado River State Park-Island Acres via the <br />Colorado River. An emergency portage around the dam would also be developed. The <br />Town of Palisade may pursue future recreation improvements within the E.R. Jacobson <br />property (parking areas, restrooms, kiosk, trails. etc.) which are discussed in the <br />cumulative impacts section of this document. <br /> <br />Design <br /> <br />This alternative proposes constructing three grouted riprap weirs downstream of the <br />Price-Stubb Diversion Dam adjacent to the fish passage channel to create whitewater <br />features (see Figure 7). The fish passage would consist of 1) a 860 foot-long fish passage <br />channel with a 2.0 % gradient below the dam on the river-left bank of the Colorado <br />River, 2) a 80 cfs low flow fish passage notch in the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam, 3) a <br />second boater notch to provide for raft and kayak use, 4) three grouted riprap weir <br />structures downstream of the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam, 5) an emergency portage <br />around the diversion dam on river left, 6) a divider-berm between the fish passage <br />channel and riprap weirs, and 7) a foot path to access the whitewater features on river- <br />right below the dam. In discussions with CDOT, a 33 foot offset of the fish passage <br />channel was established to allow for widening ofInterstate 70. Additional visual <br />screening along Interstate 70 may be required and funded with non-Recovery Program <br />funds. Stop- log channels have been added to both the fish passage notch and the boater <br />notch to address Ute Waters concerns about maintaining service during extreme low river <br />conditions if their main pipeline was out of service. <br /> <br />Construction <br /> <br />This alternative would be completed under a construction contract. The Town of <br />Palisade would secure non-Recovery Program funding for the additional construction <br />costs associated with construction of the whitewater features (the second notch, <br />additional riprap and grouting, potential visual screening along Interstate 70, etc.). <br />Before the fish passage and whitewater features could be constructed, authorization for <br />the dam modifications would be obtained from the owners of the dam. Temporary <br />construction easements, permanent easements, and intergovernmental agreements would <br />be acquired from Palisade and Mesa County Irrigation Districts, E.R. Jacobson, CDOT, <br /> <br />16 <br />