FS0018X Feasibility Study 11/01

• Contract/PO #: FS0018X
• Contractor Name: Sterling, City of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

Intangible Damages: Intangible damages include such categories as environmental
quality, social well being, and aesthetic values. As their name implies, it is currently not
possible to accurately estimate monetary values of intangible damages. However, the
impact of these damages, as social problems in a community faced with a major flood,
are real. For purposes of this report, an additional five percent of all other damages were
added to cover intangible damages. The following table presents a summary of other
damages as a percentage of direct damages. For purposes of this analysis, other damages
were considered to average 20%of direct damages.
Table 4. Other Damage As A Percent of Direct Damage
Damage Category Percent of Direct Damage
Indirect Damage
Residential 15
Commercial 35
Utilities 10
Highways 25
Railroad 23
Intangible 5
In order to calculate the damages from flood events, the study area was broken into
reaches as shown in Appendix 6. Limits for the reaches were defined based upon similar
land use, and the need to determine potential flood damage for each of the alternatives
studied. Each alternative protects different lengths of Pawnee Creek and the Pawnee
Creek overflow. Each Reach reflects the potential flood damage that may occur from
flooding due to only flows in Pawnee Creek or the overflow. In the event of a major,
regional flood, extensive damage to the City of Sterling and Logan County may also
result from flooding along Sand Creek, Pioneer Ditch, and the South Platte River, in
addition to Pawnee Creek. Reach I is essentially the portion of the City of Sterling that is
north of Iris Drive. Reach II extends from Iris Drive south to the northern edge of
Riverside Cemetery. Reach III includes the Riverside Cemetery, and extends south to the
Pawnee Creek Bridge under HWY 6, then west along Pawnee Creek to CR. 33. Reach
IV extends west along Pawnee Creek from CR. 33 to CR. 29.
The basis of direct damage for Reach I is the "Floodplain Information and Drainage Plan
for Sand Creek and the Pawnee Creek Overflow at Sterling, Colorado" prepared in 1983
by Charles Leaf and Resource Consultants. The primary purpose of this report was to
define 100-year floodplains throughout the City of Sterling. Consequently, floodplain
analysis was conducted City wide, and the Pawnee Creek overflow was just one part of
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