7869

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7869
• Author: FLO Engineering, I.
• Title: Concept Development Report, Grand Valley Irrigation Company, Diversion Dam Fish Passage Structure, Palisade, CO.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: Contract No. 1425-6-CA-40-1730A,
• Copyright Material: NO

II SITE DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
The GVIC diversion is located on the Colorado River 15 miles upstream of the confluence with the
Gunnison River near the City of Palisade (See Figure 2.1 ). The GVIC diversion dam is a barrier to
endangered fish passage because of the 3 to 4 feet of head differential it creates at low to moderate flow
conditions. This difference in upstream and downstream water surface elevations functions to divert water
into the GVIC canal. As flows become high, the head difference across the dam decreases and the structure
no longer creates a barrier to fish passage.
2.1 HiStON
The GVIC system is the oldest major irrigation project in the Grand Valley. It initially went into
operation in 1883. The original headgates were destroyed by a flood in 1898 and replaced in 1901 by the
current structure. The original wooden cribbing diversion structure was modified over a three year period
around 1980 to incorporate a concrete cutoff wall and an additional concrete cap across its crest.
The system provides water to approximately 30,000 acres through 100 miles of canals. The primary
canals in the system include the Grand Valley Canal, Grand Valley Mainline Canal, Independent Ranchman's
Ditch, Grand Valley Highline Canal, and the Keifer Extension Ditch. To supply the system, GVIC owns 640
cfs of irrigation water rights which are comprised of 520 cfs with a 1882 priority date and 120 cfs with a 1914
priority date.
2.2 Physical Layout of Diversion Facility
The features of the GVIC diversion facility are shown in Figure 2.2. The main features include the
canal headgates, the diversion dam, and the floodgates. The headgates and floodgates are located along
the right bank (west side) of the Colorado River. The diversion dam gradually spans the Colorado River over
a length of 1,300 feet as it starts at its downstream end by the floodgates to its upstream end along the left
bank.
In addition to the GVIC facilities, OMID has facilities at the project site that directly impact the
operation of the GVIC facilities and must be considered in the development of alternatives to provide
endangered fish passage. The OMID facilities include a power plant, pumping plant, return canal, check
bypass canal, overflow chute, and control structures for the return and bypass canals.
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