FLOOD01456

• County: Huerfano
• Community: Walsenburg
• Title: Walsenburg Feasibility Study
• Date: 2/1/1996
• Prepared For: Colorado School of Mines
• Prepared By: CWCB
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

CSUCE SCD DOL'"

71954921346

P.B2

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

WALSENBURG HYDROLOGY STUDY

11 January, 1996

The Town of Walsenburg has long used an existing, privately owned irrigation ditch as a means of
carrying storm and runoff water from the Northern area of the community. To this point, the ditch has
been adequate to handle this water and ditch owners have benefitted from the occasional
augmentation to normal volume. There is, however, some Question as to the capacity of the ditch to
handle a major short term increase in storm waters such as might be encountered in a potential
periodic flood. In addition, by building roads, curbs, gutters, and developing homesites over recent
years, the town has changed the natural water courses in the area. Finally, the ditch company, which
cannot except liability in the event of an overflow or flood caused by run-off, has expressed concern
about tha continued use of the ditch as a primary means of transporting excess runoff water.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a detailed hydrologic analysis for the project watershed and, using the
results of the analysis, recommend alternatives for providing flood control facilities in the study area.

ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT:

1. Using appropriate engineering techniques and accepted guidelines, determine the hydrology for
the project basins Including estimation of peak discharges for both the 10 year and the 100 year
storm events. Work directly with Engineer Tom Browning, Colorado Water Conservation Board,
1313 Sherman St, room 721, Denver, CO 80203, Phone [phone] and with Colorado
School of Mines facultY in planning and Implementing this project.

2. Determine the hydraulic capacity (conveyance) of existing ditch and compare it to the potential
storm discharges established above.

3. Conduct site visits to collect necessary data. Field work may include inventory of existing
drainage structures; field surveys to obtain ground slopes and channel geometry information;
obtain data concerning previous flood experience; visually confirm drainage basin boundaries;
photograph areas of interest.

3. Recommend means for conveying surface water runoff to both complement the capacitY of the
ditch during a flood and, as an alternative, to handle runoff without using the ditch a1 all. Provide
drawings and engineering data for these alternatives in as much detail as possible.

4. Provide a detailed written report of findings with drawings, maps, illustrations as appropriate and
make an oral presentation to appropriate local officials.

ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS:

1. This is a student project supervised by professional faculty. Additional professional engineering
support will be required prior to implementation of any proposed solutions.

2. The Town of Walsanburg will arrange for meals and accommodations for up to six students and
facultY for not to exceed three nights and four days. Additional expenses will be provided for by
the Colorado Scnool of Mines and by the CSUCECDO.