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<br />The cross sections for the revised reach of Brush Creek were based on as-built <br />construction surveys and associated topographic information for the new bridges and <br />channel. The input and output HEC-2 data and the engineering report were used in <br />recoding the original HEC-2 model into one HEC-RAS model. <br /> <br />Two additional cross sections were analyzed using normal depth in order to determine <br />the flooding extent of a divided flow condition. <br /> <br />The model for Brush Creek incorporates the addition of the new bridges in addition to <br />the minor grading that has occurred in the floodplain as a result of the development of <br />Eagle County Ranch Development, namely the Capital Street Bridge, Sylvan Road <br />Bridge, and Eagle Ranch Bridge No.1. <br /> <br />In the vicinity of new bridge structures, as-built surveys were completed to verifY the <br />channel grades and bridge geometries (Reference 23). Field surveys were completed at <br />various times between December 2001 and January 2003. Geometry data for small <br />existing bridges that have remained in place since the effective information were <br />developed from field measurements in February 1997. <br /> <br />Cross sections for the backwater analyses of Gypsum Creek were obtained from <br />topographic maps at a scale of I: 1,200, with a contour interval of 2 feet (References 24 <br />and 25). All bridges were field checked to obtain elevation data and structural geometry. <br /> <br />Starting WSELs for the Colorado River were calculated using normal depth at the <br />beginning of the study with a gradient of 0.00954. The upstream ending water surface <br />was also computed as normal depth downstream of the 1-70 bridges at a gradient of <br />0.00244. Mapping indicates the channel gradient is greater upstream of the confluence <br />with the Eagle River. <br /> <br />The starting WSEL for the Eagle River model was computed based on the known <br />WSELs from the Colorado River model at Cross Section 44. This appears to be a <br />reasonable and conservative assumption because a coincidental flood peak in the <br />Colorado River would create backwater upstream on the Eagle River through <br />Cross Section 5. By viewing the Eagle River profile, it is apparent that either a large <br />deposit of volcanic ash and debris, or channel degradation from the Colorado River <br />propagating up the Eagle River, has caused a relatively steep slope in the Eagle River <br />channel near the confluence. Because of the steep channel slope in this area, a normal <br />depth calculation would produce a lower water surface on the Eagle River than the <br />backwater elevation caused by a 100-year flood on the Colorado River. The upstream <br />ending water surface on the Eagle River was computed as critical depth near the town <br />limits of Minturn at a county bridge structure, a hydraulic control structure. This is a <br />reasonable assumption as a result of the steep gradient, narrow channel geometry, and <br />limited conveyance capacity of the bridge. <br /> <br />Starting WSELs for the Eagle River near Minturn were obtained using the slope-area <br />method at a starting cross section 800 feet downstream of the Town of Minturn corporate <br />limits. Starting WSELs for the Eagle River near Red Cliff were calculated using critical <br />depth downstream of the corporate limits of the Town of Red Cliff. <br /> <br />25 <br />