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Need for the Project The DSIC is rehabilitating their sand gate structure for the safety of ditch personnel and to ensure that it can efficiently remove sand buildup from in front of their canal where they divert water from the South Platte River. Flow into the Deuel and Snyder canal is controlled by a very unique relationship between the DSIC and their neighbor the Upper Platte and Beaver Canal Company (UPBCC}. The UPBCC diverts water from the south side of the South Platte River just slightly downstream of the Deuel and Snyder point of diversion. The UPBCC has a diversion rate of well ouer 200 cfs, much larger than the DSIC. Both companies benefit from the large diversion which runs across the entire width of the river. The diversion is primarily a large concrete rollover wall with a set of slide gates for river control. The slide gates are located on the south side of the river and are con~rolled by the UPBCC. Due to the smaller diversion requirement of the DSIC and their priority dates, they can manage their system without the need for flow control gates on their side of the diversion. The DSIC is however in need of the sand gate located in the river diversion structure. The sand gate is a vent section through the concrete rollover wall which is boarded up when diversions are required by the DSIC or the UPBCC. In the past boards would be removed during the winter allowing for excess sand which builds up in front of the DSIC diversion point to wash down river. The DSIC point of diversion is several hundred feet upstream of the actual river diversion and has a narrow channel running by it due to the formation of a substantial island in the center of the ma~ri river. Due to the small rate of diversion, shallow nature of the diversion point and the narrow channel the sand buildup at this location must be washed down river during the winter or a sandbar could form that would prevent the DSIC from diverting all together. The operation of the current sand gate is a major safety concern for the Company. In order to remove boards and open the gate, a company employee must walk several yards along the crest of the rollover wall to reach the sand gate. There is not a walkway or any type of handrail for safety and depending on what the UPBCC is doing with the control gates on the far side of the river there can still be water going over the crest of the diversion. In the past both companies could work together through the winter months and ensure that the sand gate could be used in a relatively safe fashion. Now as both companies divert water in the winter for recharge purposes it is becoming increasingly harder to coordinated the safe and efficient use of the sand gate. Feasibility Study Deuel & Snyder Improvement Company River Sand Gate Structure February 2009 2