FLOOD01339

• County: Larimer
• Community: Loveland
• Stream Name: Big Thompson River
• Title: Application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a License to Re-construct, Operate, and Maintain the Loveland Project
• Date: 11/1/1977
• Prepared For: FERC
• Prepared By: Loveland
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Miscellaneous

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

I
I

I

I

I
I
I
I

I

I

I

The new plant will be located approximately 60 feet southwest of the old plant, adjacent to
the existing penstock which is still intact. By moving the plant southwest, it will be possible
to locate it out of the 100 year f100dway due to the higher elevation of the new location.
The site is in the City of Loveland's picnic area known as Viestanz-Smith Mountain Park.

Based on modern technology, the replacement of the three former generating units will
consist of two 450 KW vertical units. The resulting building size will be significantly less
than the old plant. The building will consist of concrete walls faced with natural stone to
harmonize with the existing recreation building located approximately 300' north of the new
plant. Particular caution will be exercised during excavations at the dam and power plant
sites to be alert for archaeological remains resulting from the flood. If remains are
uncovered, excavation will be halted and the State Archaeologists Office, as well as as
cognizant local officials, will be notified immediately. The static head is 330 feet. The Big
Thompson River is characterized by large variations in the amounts of flow during the
winter months. The annual flow duration data for the years 1970 through mid-1976.
indicates that the applicant's full decreed water right for the project (74 CFS) is available
for only 42 percent of each year. However. because of the size and characteristics of the
pipeline. the optimum design flow is 50 CFS and is available for approximately 50 percent
of the year.

3.

The project area lies in the Big Thompson Canyon on the eastern flank of the northern
Colorado Rocky Mountains, about 13 miles west of the City of Loveland, Larimer County,
Colorado. The rebuilt power plant and substation would be sited in the Big Thompson
Canyon in the northwestern quarter of Section 7, T. 5 N., R. 70 W. The dam would be
located about 1.6 miles upstream to the west of the hydroelectric plant, as shown on the
map submitted herewith as Exhibit K, which map is hereby made a part of this Application.

4.

The lands of the United States which will be affected are:
Surveyed lands in the public land survey; specifically lands within Sections 1 and 2,
T. 5N, R. 71W.

5.

The following project facilities are located in whole or in part on lands of the United States:

The dam and approximately 50 percent of the aqueduct is located on Federal land
within the Roosevelt National Forest. The remainder of the pipeline, and the power
plant are located in lands owned by the County of Larimer, State of Colorado, City of
Loveland, and private owners (Exhibit K).

6.

The following Colorado water or other permits authorizing the construction, operation, and

maintenance of the Loveland Project have been obtained by the City of Loveland:

Water rights necessary for the operation of the Loveland Project were obtained by
the City of Loveland through a decree adjudged by the State of Colorado on July 14,
1913. A copy of this decree is hereby made part of this Application and is shown as
Exhibit E.