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Emergency Loan Application and Feasibility Study [BORROWER] <br />Project Background <br />During the unprecedented flood of September 2013 in the tributaries to the South Platte River, a <br />significant number of diversion structures and dams along the river corridor were damaged. The <br />Project repair/rehabilitation proposed in this Feasibility Study received significant damage as a <br />result of the flood. <br /> <br />Water Rights <br />The water rights impacted by this project include: <br /> <br />Name Water Court Case Appropriation Date Adjudication Date Amount (cfs or AF) Avg. Annual Yield (AF) <br />Butte Mill Ditch CA1308 03/01/1865 06/02/1882 110.86 1177 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Project Description <br />During the flood event, South Boulder Creek breached a berm 100 feet in length causing the <br />stream to entirely by-pass the Butte Irrigating and Milling Company diversion. Aside from <br />destroying the berm, the new channel location has resulted in a significant amount of silt and <br />other material in a nearby pond, scoured a large meadow and destroyed a number of trees. It <br />continues to flow through this area and is causing additional erosion. The berm will need to be <br />restored and may need additional reinforcement including a rubber liner. <br />Concurrently, the creek deposited a large amount of silt and debris in the ditch canal itself. This <br />debris will need to be thoroughly cleaned before ditch operations can commence. A grant has <br />been submitted to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District to help pay for the removal <br />and disposal of the sediment in this reach of the ditch. <br />The Butte Irrigation and Milling Company intends to retain a Professional Engineer for design <br />services and obtain all of the required permits prior to commencing work. <br /> <br />Alternative 1 – Do Nothing: This alternative is considered unacceptable. Failure to replace the <br />headgate would prevent the diversion of the company’s water rights leading to the abandonment <br />of the water rights and the ditch. Additionally, the South Boulder Creek channel has moved <br />from its former location and is currently flowing through private property causing damages. <br /> <br />Alternative 2 – Rebuilding Collaboratively with Improvements:. During the site visit with the <br />Stream Task Force on October 23rd, it was suggested that the design of the replacement berm <br />include a spillway feature to allow water to spill and relieve the pressure placed on the berm. It <br />is anticipated that the design include this feature which is an improvement upon the pre-flood <br />design.