Field Examination Report: O'Neil Draw Watershed

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- 3 - WATERSHED PROBLEMS Frequent floods occur on the watershed resulting in damages to floodplains, irrigation structures, irrigation canals, fences, roads, highways, railroads, and to urban areas in the City of Julesburg, Refer to Application for details on types and monetary figures on flood damages in past years. Floodwater damage, floodplain scour, and sediment deposition are the major types of flood and land damages. PROJECT OBJECTIVES The project objectives as indicated in the Application are: accelerating the application of the soil and water conservation program on crop and grazing land; the reduction of floodwater and sediment damage by installation of water flow control structi:cres;.and providing channels for the orderly disposal of discharges from water flow control structures and flows from the uncontrolled areas below through the irrigated and urban area to the South Platte River. Land treatment measures needed on land within the watershed are: stubble mulching, terraces, grassed waterways, contour planting, proper use of range land, and permanent pasture seeding. In addition ditch lining, land leveling, irrigation water management, and reogranization of farm irrigation systems are needed on the irrigated area. Additional technical service would accelerate conservation farm planning and establishment of land treatment measures. Approximately 65 per cent of the land in the watershed has been placed under conserva- tion plans. About twenty -five per cent of the needed land treatment measures have been applied There appears to be few critical sediment - producing areas in the watershed and these are localized. All watershed lands are privately -o except three school sections. Feasible sites are available for eater retarding structures. It is estimated that approximately 80 per cent of the watershed area can be controlled by installation of floodwater- retarding structures. Apparently satisfactory foundation conditions and suitable fill material are available. The requirement for an adequate outlet channel to handle the discharge from water retarding structures and uncontrolled areas is one of the major problems and may be the most difficult one to solve. Easements and rights -of -way will be needed throughout the length of the water disposal system from the reservoired area to the outlet at the South Platte River.