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PHYSICAL INFORMATION <br />Straight Creek Tunnel originates in Water Di vision 5 District 51 and terminates in Water <br />Division 1 District 7 in Clear Creek County. <br />In 1968, construction of the westbound <br />bore began, to be completed in 1973. In <br />1975, construction of the eastbound bore <br />began, to be completed in 1979. Water was <br />first carried through Straight Creek Tunnel <br />in 1973. Per Case No. W-211, Water <br />Division No. 5, entered August 16, 1971, <br />Straight Creek Tunnel diversions were <br />historically used for industrial and <br />municipal uses. Per Case No. W-37, Water <br />Division No. 1, entered December 15, <br />1979, Straight Creek Tunnel diversions <br />were historically used for sanitary, <br />West Portal of Eisenhower Tunnel <br />domestic, industrial, and exchange uses. <br />( Previousl y named Strai g ht Creek Tunnel ) <br />The Straight Creek Tunnel collects and controls water occurring in both Water Divisions Nos. 1 <br />and 5. Water carried through Straight Creek Tu nnel comes from two sour ces: water intercepted <br />by the tunnel underdrains and water tributary to Straight Creek divert ed through infiltration <br />galleries located in the alluvium of Straight Creek. Water collected in the infiltration gallery is <br />stored in an underground reservoir near the west portal of the t unnel. A portion of the water is <br />piped through the tunnel, with taps for fire fighting and othe r non-potable uses, and a portion of <br />the water is treated for domestic and sanitary purposes. The return flow from use within the <br />Tunnel is commingled with the water intercep ted by the tunnel underdra ins and carried through <br />the Straight Creek Tunnel to Clear Cr eek in Water Division No. 1. <br />The drainage system, as well as the infiltration gallery delivery system, is underneath the tunnel <br />roadway. The water carried through the Strai ght Creek Tunnel flows by gravity into Clear <br />Creek. Water intercepted by the Straight Creek Tunnel drainage system is described as a <br />“diversion,” however; there is no physical mech anism by which the water can be curtailed. <br />The maximum excavated height for each of the tw o vehicle tunnels is 48 f eet with a width of 40 <br />feet. Drivers traveling through th e tunnel see only the distance fr om the roadway to the ceiling, a <br />height of approximately 16 feet. Above the su spended porcelain enamel panel ceiling of the <br />vehicle tunnel are exhaust and supply air ducts. Below the roadway is the drainage system and <br />infiltration gallery delivery system. <br />The Straight Creek Tunnel Drainage and Effl uent System was designed and constructed by <br />CDOT. Construction de tails are unavailable. <br />Length: <br /> Approximately 1.7 miles <br />StraightCreekTunnel.doc 4 of 9 <br />