<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />deducted from the channel flow for similar analysis at
<br />consecutive points downstream, The water surface
<br />profile in the channel below 11 th A venue, therefore,
<br />represents the 100-year flow reduced by amounts
<br />escaping into the overbanks,
<br />
<br />banks. Generally, the maximum flow velocity
<br />desirable for a channel would be 6 feet per second to
<br />prevent erosion, and a minimum velocity of 2 feet per
<br />second to minimize sedimentation, Flow velocities in
<br />the overbank areas average 4 to 6 feet per second in
<br />the streets and stay below 4 feet per second on grassed
<br />or other non-paved areas,
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />The floodway is defined as the channel and that
<br />portion of the adjacent flood plain required to carry
<br />the 100-year discharge without raising the flood
<br />profile more than an acceptable amount. It is the
<br />most hazardous portion of the flood plain, For that
<br />portion of Cherry Creek upstream from Colfax Ave-
<br />nue, the floodway has been defined based upon an
<br />equal degree of encroachment resulting in a rise in the
<br />water surface profile of 0.5 feet or less. The floodway
<br />data is displayed in Table 3,
<br />
<br />The construction of Cherry Creek Dam has
<br />provided protection for Denver against floods origina-
<br />ting upstream from the Dam. The proper operation of
<br />the reservoir is essential to providing this flood
<br />protection and it is probable that occasional releases
<br />from the reservoir will be necessary to regulate the
<br />pool elevation for flood control purposes, Reservoir
<br />releases of up to 5,000 cfs are possible and may be
<br />sustained for 5 to 10 days. While the present Cherry
<br />Creek channel downstream from the Dam could handle
<br />reservoir releases without flooding areas outside the
<br />channel, sustained flows could severely erode the
<br />sandy channel and damage structures which are not
<br />well protected, such as bridge piers or drop structures,
<br />
<br />RELEASES FROM CHERRY CREEK DAM
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />For that portion of the creek between the South
<br />Platte River and 11th Avenue, the large amounts of
<br />water which leave the channel and never return make
<br />the above floodway criteria inappropriate, In this
<br />reach of the creek, the walled channel should be
<br />considered as the main floodway, Auxiliary floodways
<br />should be provided to convey the overbank flood
<br />waters through the flooded areas. Development
<br />proposals in the overbank areas should be handled on a
<br />case-by-case basis in accordance with Denver's flood
<br />plain zoning ordinance.
<br />
<br />In Reach 4, the maximum probable reservoir
<br />release of 5,000 cfs is greater than the 100-year flood
<br />and potentially more dangerous because of its longer
<br />duration, The floodway in Reach 4 should be maintain-
<br />ed to pass the maximum release from Cherry Creek
<br />Dam, rather than the 100-year flood, The water
<br />surface profile and flood outline for the 5,000 cfs
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />The flow velocities expected during the 100-year
<br />flood are provided on the Drawings. The channel
<br />velocities to be expected will reach 10 feet per second
<br />which is capable of causing severe erosion to stream
<br />
<br />.
<br />
<br />8
<br />
<br />~
<br />
<br />maximum reservoir release is included in the drawings
<br />upstream from the confluence of Goldsmith Gulch and
<br />those areas where the average flow velocities exceed-
<br />ed 6 feet per second are noted as areas where channel
<br />erosion will be more severe.
<br />
<br />The Cherry Creek channel above Goldsmith
<br />Gulch is still in a relatively natural state and the flood
<br />plain mostly free from encroachment. Because the
<br />area which it drains is comparatively small and has not
<br />experienced the development existing throughout the
<br />remainder of the Cherry Creek Basin, the 100-year
<br />flood for this Reach is not as significant as possible
<br />releases from Cherry Creek Dam, As this area is
<br />developed, Cherry Creek must be maintained to pass,
<br />at least, the maximum reservoir release of 5,000 cfs,
<br />
<br />TABLE 3A
<br />AUXILIARY FLOODWAY DATA
<br />
<br />Cross
<br />Section
<br />
<br />Left Overbank
<br />Width Disch8.l."R'e
<br />
<br />Right Overbank
<br />Width Discharge
<br />
<br />1
<br />2
<br />3
<br />4
<br />5
<br />6
<br />7
<br />8
<br />9
<br />10
<br />II
<br />12
<br />13
<br />
<br />1,500 2,000
<br />1,500 2,000
<br />1,500 2,000
<br />970 1,750
<br />950 1,750
<br />640 1,750
<br />810 1,750
<br />600 700
<br />500 700
<br />270 700 460 1,100
<br />270 400 235 1,100
<br />150 400 185 1,100
<br />170 400 260 1,100
<br />
<br />Note: Table 3A above gives data on the auxiliary floodways required in the
<br />overbank areas outside the main channel to carry the IOo-year flood between the
<br />South Platte River and 11th Avenue, as discussed heretofore on page 8.
<br />
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