PUB00032

• Year: 1994
• Title: Small Dam Site Reconnaissance Study - Final Report of Findings
• CWCB Section: Finance
• Author: Harris Water Engineering, Inc.
• Description: Identify and evaluate dam sites at a recon leval, dam sites to fill a need for raw water storage
• Publications - Doc Type: Tech Report

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2. Many of the entities, especially, irrigators are unlikely to
apply for feasibility study funds on ~ loan basis. This report
suggests that the CWCB return to the past policy where feasibility
study funds are forgiven, if a feasible development is not found.
If the feasibility study results in development, the study costs
are added to the construction loan.

3. The Study showed that there are several potential enlargements
or new dams in the idea stage which are not moving forward because
of personnel time. The staff, if any, of small sponsoring entities
are busy with operations and do not have time to formulate plans,
involve enginee~s and process the CWCB requirements. Also, the
smaller entities are reluctant to pay for engineering services and
were very receptive to having the CWCB send an engineer to evaluate
their situation. It is these smaller entities who benefitted the
most from this Study, and who will probably need assistance to
prepare and process the CWCB requirements, possibly followed by
engineering assistance fo~ plans and designs.

4. The Study also showed that there are many entities with
restricted dams who do not have the time nor funds to correct the
problems. Many of the dam ~epairs do not require much cost to
prepare engineering designs or const~uction. Design of a toe drain
or determination of the PMF for the spillway, are typical plans and
specifications. Major reconstruction is needed on less than half
of the restricted dams. Many people wanted to convey the message
that the water storage infrastructure needs repair to maintain the
present water usage.

5. In order to follow up on the sites identified in this Study,
the CWCB will need to continue to provide assistance to the small
entities. The CWCB staff can provide assistance to entities around
Denver but do not have the time to assist entities in the western
part of the State (Water Divisions 3, 4, 7 and part of 5) because
of travel time. This report suggests that the CWCB consider
retaining a consultant, or re-instituting a CWCB engineering staff
member, in the western part of the state to assist entities.

It is further suggested that if a consultant, the firm be retained
for one year at a time with annual renewals if the work is
progressing satisfactorily, for a maximum of 3 or 4 years. The
CWCB selection process requires too much time and staff effort to
select a consultant each year if the work is satisfactory.

The west slope CWCB representative would: (al assist in preparing
and processing any CWCB administrative requirements associated with
the follow up of dams identified in this study, (b) coordinate with
water users, Division Engineers and dam safety inspectors to
continue to identify potential new dams or enlargement of existing
dams, and (cl coordinate with the dam safety inspectors to
determine what is necessary to repair restricted dams and if
appropriate implement plans to make the repairs.

Small Dam Site Recon. study 15