C150219 contract docs - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

� • � Project Irnpacts The enlargement project will increase storage volume of the reservoir by 11,750 acre-feet and increase surface area from 435 acres to 720 acres at full pool. Approximately 37 acres of jurisdictional wetlands will be inundated. Approximately 31.7 acres of the impacted wetlands are in the area of sediment deposition created at the upper end of the existing reservoir. The remainder are in sma11 isoiated areas along the shoreline of the existing reservoir and at the toe of the existing dam. See the enclosed copy of the USACOE 404 permit and application for more detail. I have included both as the application contains information not included in the permit. Non-native game fish contained in Elkhead Reservoir aze being maintained at the request of the Colorado Division of Wildlife by keeping a game fish mitigation pool in the reservoir during construction. � Moffat County Road 28 uses the dam crest to cross the Elkhead Creek valley. During construction this road will not be available, so a temporary detour is being constructed across the reservoir basin on the portion of County Road 78 which was inundated by the existing reservoir. Elkhead Reservoir will be maintained at a reduced level during the construction period to � accommoda.te this detour. , The existing reservoir has ]imited recreational facilities consisting of a boat ramp, two ski beaches, one swim beach, a primitive campground, an undefined camping area and 4 vault toilet type restroom facilities. The recreational aspects o�the existing reservoir are operated by _ .m. . Colorado State l�arlcs (CSP� as part of the Yainpa ff`iver S'�afe Prark. Impacts to fihe exi��iii� �- recreation facilities will be mitigated by the project. CSP has committed one million dollars to make improvements to the recreation facilities during the construction period of the enlargement project. Due to the extent of the enlargement project activities, the entire site will be closed to public access during the enlargement project (December 2004 until Spring 2007). Wetlands Mitigation Wetlands mitigation for the ixnpacts rela�ed to the enlargement project is described in detail in the attached USACOE 404 perniit and applieation. Wetlands mitigation includes creating 37.8 acres of new wetlands in 4locations around the reservoir. These wetland mitigation areas are depicted in the attached USACOE 404 permit. Th� mitigation plan is discussed in the peimit application. The mitigation areas are distt-�buted around the reservoir in discrete locations making them more ecoTogically functional than the isolated pockets surrounding the existing reservoir. The sediment wedge wluch will accumulate at the upstream end of the new reservoir will also create a wetlands area. The new upstream area will be enhanced and accelerated through construction of sediment retention structures and by wetlands plantings. One of the wetlands mitigation areas has been designed to support water fowl nesting activities. While the lake and its margins provide a significant amount of water fowl habitat, nesting habitat does not currently exist. Creation of new wetlands area which is disconnected from the reservoir shoreline will facilitate the successful nesting of water fowl at the enlarged Elkhead Reservoir..