PROJ02179

• Contract/PO #: 04000000014
• Contractor Name: Clear Creek Economic Development Corporation
• Contract Type: Grant
• Water District: 0
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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as part of a gold mining operation located west of Empire. The site has been previously disturbed and
contains both earth fill and tailings deposited on the site as a result of the gold mining operation. On the
north side of the site, a very steep (nearly vertical) slope approximatelY 30 feet high slopes down to the
West Fork of Clear Creek. Steep fill slopes are located along the west and south sides of the site and a
steep hillside lies along the east side of the site.

Vegetation on the site is sparse and consists of occasional coniferous trees along the perimeter of the site
and along a fill area that extends from Bard Creek Road into the site. Other than the steeply sloped
portions of the site, the majority of the site is covered by layers of tailing material deposited by the gold
mining operation. There is no significant native vegetation grass cover other than along the perimeter of
the site.

The site generally slopes toward the northeast with a ridge located along the West Fork of Clear Creek
preventing any site runoff from flowing into the stream. The elevation of the site varies from
approximately 8525 along the northeast side to 8580 along the south side.

The majority of the site is owned by the Town of Empire. A portion of the site along the east side is
.' currently in private ownership, however, it is our understanding that it would most likely be possible to
acquire the property.

Climatic Information

The climate of the reservoir site can be considered a semi-arid environment with relatively little
precipitation. Based on weather data collected at Georgetown, Colorado (approximately 4 nliles south of
the site, with a period of record of 53 years), average annual total precipitation is 16.0 inches per year.
Average annual evaporation is 35 inches per year (Reference 2).

Environmental Concerns

Typical environmental concerns for water storage reservoir sites include aesthetic concerns, potential
wetland impacts and temporary impacts during the construction period. Based on visual observation of
the site, no large wetland impacts would be necessary to construct the reservoir. A limited wetland impact
may be present where the reservoir would release to the West Fork of Clear Creek, however, we
anticipate that if a US Army Corps of Engineers 404 is required, that improvements could be implemented
under a Nationwide Permit.

As part of the 404 permitting process, a review is necessary to determine and mitigate impacts to
threatened or endangered species identified under the Federal E:p.dangered Species Act. In Colorado, the

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