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<br />Page 2 <br /> <br />~ Heavy runoff occurring during the mid 1980's severely <br />damaged the already deteriorating structure. The lake was <br />lowered to a point that caused concern of a repeat of the <br />events of the 1950's. Temporary measures were installed to <br />help maintain the lake's water level and provide a level of <br />erosion protection. The measures consisted of placing large <br />boulders across the outlet channel at the upstream side of <br />the old timber structure. These measures have maintained <br />the lake surface and prevented further deterioration of the <br />channel. <br /> <br />County personnel fear that everything could fail during the <br />next heavy runoff. If the temporary measures fail during <br />high water, extensive flooding will occur downstream. <br />Damages to homes and buildings will be considerably more <br />severe than before because of increased downstream <br />development. A new highway bridge constructed 100 to 200 <br />feet downstream of the old structure would also likely be <br />lost or severely damaged. Severe damage is likely <br />throughout the county in areas along the Lake Fork of the <br />Gunnison River. The area, heavily dependent upon summer <br />recreation, will be severely impacted. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />A foundation investigation of soil materials was made at the <br />bridge site prior to its construction. The investigation <br />found extremely soft materials at depths below the surface <br />armoring. Because of the weak foundation conditions, the <br />bridge was placed on spread footings rather than piling. <br /> <br />The existing structure is 80 feet wide. The design flow is <br />not known. The overfall at the structure is about two feet. <br />The channel downstream is fairly steep. A new structure <br />would likely require a designed drop of three to four feet. <br /> <br />Conclusions: <br />This is a worthwhile project that must be done. If repairs <br />are not made in the outlet channel of Lake San Cristobal, it <br />is just a matter of time before the recreational values of <br />the lake are destroyed. Without the lake, the tourist <br />economy ofd.the .area.~ill .suffer .'~c::':' -. . m_ -- - - --..-, - - - ------..-.- _ _ <br /> <br />This has all of the requirements of being an excellent RC&D <br />type project. Economic development, environmental problems, <br />flooding, and erosion control are are all components of this <br />proposed measure. The RC&D Program is an excellent area in <br />which to help the county raise the necessary funds to <br />correct this problem. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />-.--.-.- ---..-..- -.- .-- -- <br />. ..~..-. <br />