WSPP287 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

001090 Final Environmental Assessment-Chapter 3-Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences prevent boaters from attempting to float through the fish passage would also improve current conditions. The 2.5% rock ramp would also reduce the hazards associated with the diversion dam; however, boat passage would not be recommended. Rescue features would be incorporated into the fish passage and ramp structure to facilitate emergency response if someone attempted to pass over the dam. These features would include the installation of safety rings on the dam face to allow anchoring during whitewater rescues. Downstream Rock Fish Passage with Whitewater Recreation Features: This alternative would further reduce safety hazards with the construction of whitewater features by providing a defmed route for boaters. Non-Recovery Program funding would be used to cover incremental costs associated with this alternative. The Town of Palisade would maintain the whitewater features, remove debris, and address other safety issues as they arise. Downstream public access easements to the whitewater features would be obtained by the Town of Palisade. The Town of Palisade would assume liability and ownership of the whitewater features and manage the facilities. It is important to note that there are inherent hazards associated with whitewater recreation and these hazards would continue to exist (swift water, rocks, debris, bridge abutments, check structures, etc.). Dam portage along river-right would not be safe because of the steep slope of the river shoreline and the close proximity of the dam head works, wing-walls, and the railroad. Signage including "no trespass" and "danger, keep out" would be installed to alert boaters to the hazards on river-right above the dam. An emergency portage around the dam would be constructed on river-left. The Town of Palisade would obtain public access below the dam using the existing road within the Union Pacific Railroad right-of- way and the E.R. Jacobson property. The Railroad may require additional improvements to address safety and railroad access concerns with the public using this access road. Rescue features as described in the Downstream Rock Fish Passage would also be incorporated into this alternative to assist in rescue activities. The Orchard Mesa Irrigation District also identified a safety concern associated with their check structure downstream of the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam. The check structure allows the District, during periods of low river flow, to meet senior water rights at the GVIC Diversion Dam. The GVIC Diversion Dam is a low-head diversion dam that was notched in 1998 to provide fish passage. Boats and kayaks have used this notch to float downstream of the GVIC Diversion Dam. The check structure is a potential hazard similar to bridge abutments, and other river hazards. Appropriate signage to make boaters aware of the approaching hazard should adequately address the District's concern. I Dam Removal: Removal would eliminate the dam safety hazard. After removal ofthe dam, the river channel would be typical of similar sections of the Colorado River. All protruding rebar would be removed from the remaining concrete. Riprap would be placed at each abutment to eliminate any vertical concrete faces. The riprap would create sloped surfaces similar to the river banks upstream and downstream of the abutments. 37