C150122 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C150122
• Contractor Name: Central Weld County Water District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 4
• County: Larimer
• Bill Number: SB 03-110
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Preliminary environmental assessments have been completed by Meaney and
Company, and ESCO Associates, Inc. Detailed findings are included in Appendix
H. The presence of burrowing owls has been confirmed on the site. These owls
are migratory and would be expected to leave the area during the winter. Simple
measures can be taken to enhance the potential of owl re-inhabitation following
construction. The existence of the owls will not affect construction permitting.

Existence of the Bell's Twinpod flower that is endemic to the foothills of the
Colorado Front Rage has been confirmed on the bluffs surrounding the reservoir
by ESCO Associates Inc. These plants are not in the inundation area of the
reservoir and should not be affected by construction of the reservoir. The plant's
existence will not affect construction permitting.

Initial archaeological assessment has been conducted by Western Cultural
Resource Management, Inc. as described in Appendix H. The assessment
identified thirteen sites of prehistoric and historic significance within one mile of
the site. It is not known at this time if any of these sites fall within the reservoir
area. On-site assessment would be required before construction to determine
what measures would be necessary to preserve or relocate sites of significance.
No issues have been identified that would prevent construction of the reservoir.

The reservoir development would require an Army Corps of Engineers 404
Permit. In order to comply with US Fish and Wildlife Service requirements
covered by the 404 permit, a depletion analysis will be necessary to determine
effects of the reservoir on the South Platte River. Controlled releases and
seepage from the reservoir would be expected to exceed any amount of flow
intercepted by th~ reservoir and therefore, no significant depletion is expected.
No other significant issues have been identified that would hinder issuance of a
404 permit.

The project will b'e subject to review for special use by Larimer County. Based
on conversationS' between L TWD and Larimer County,. no issues have been
identified that would prevent development of the reservoir.

Dry Creek Reservoir Feasibility Study

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