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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ill. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION The study area is located in northern Adams County east of the City of Brighton. The floodplain for Beebe Draw was delineated for the area between Barr Lake Reservoir and the Adams County - Weld County line (168th Avenue). Redwing Creek, Meadowlark Run and Magpie Run are all west-bank tributaries of Beebe Draw. The tributary floodplains were delineated between Interstate 76 and Beebe Draw. A description of each drainage basin follows. Meadowlark Run Meadowlark Run is a west bank tributary of Beebe Draw. The Meadowlark Run drainage basin is located just south of the Magpie Run basin. The Run is crossed by 1-76, Burlington Northern Railroad, Speer Canal, and the West Burlington Canal prior to it's confluence with Beebe Draw about one half mile upstream of the Magpie Run confluence with Beebe Draw. Meadowlark Run flows through the 1-76 - Bromley Lane interchange. Two 60" concrete pipes carry the flow under the west frontage road. A series of pipes and storage areas in the interchange carries the flow to the discharge point south of Bromley Lane. Large flows reaching the Burlington - Northern Railroad embankment will be diverted north along the railroad grade. Flows that reach the Speer Canal will be diverted into the canal until the canal capacity is reached. There is no distinct channel downstream of the Speer Canal. Land use in the basin is currently agricultural. Beebe Draw Beebe Draw drains the area north of the Third Creek drainage basin east of the South Platte River. The drainage area of Beebe Draw at the northern study limits is about 40 square miles. Beebe Draw continues in a northerly direction to Milton Reservoir and ultimately to the South Platte River near Greeley. Within the study area are small irrigation storage reservoirs including Foster Lake, Meek Reservoirs No. 1 and 2, Bowles Reservoirs No. 1 and 2 and Calhoun Lake. The low flow channel of Beebe Draw is the Beebe Seep Canal which is used to transport irrigation water between Barr Lake and Milton Reservoir. Prior to the construction of the Beebe Seep Canal by the Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company, no distinct low-flow channel was present in the Draw. The Beebe Draw floodplain area is used prirnarilly for farming and cattle grazing or is leased to hunting clubs. Several farmsteads are located in or near the Beebe Draw floodplain. A garden nursery is located near Bromley Lane (152nd Avenue) and Piccadilly Road. In addition to Bromley Lane and Piccidilly Road, Beebe Draw is crossed by l60th Avenue and l68th Avenue. The Burlington Northern Railroad and Interstate Highway 76 are near the western limits of the Beebe Draw floodplain. Redwinl: Creek Redwing Creek is also a weSt bank tributary of Beebe Draw. The Redwing Creek drainage basin is located just south of the Meadowlark Run basin. Redwing Creek is crossed by 1-76, Burlington Northero Railroad, Speer Canal, and the West Burlington Canal prior to it's confluence with Beebe Draw just north of the Barr Lake dam embankment. 1-76 is currently being reconstructed in the vicinity of Redwing Creek. The upper portion of the basin will be diverted out of the natural flow path because of the highway embankment. The Burlington - Northern Railroad also diverts flows to the northease along the railroad grade. The Speer Canal will intercept flows until the canal capacity is exceeded. There is currently no distinct channel along Redwing Creek. MaLWie Run Magpie Run is a west bank tributary of Beebe Draw. The Magpie Run valley cross section is broad and gently sloped. The creek is crossed by Interstate 1-76, The Speer Canal, West Burlington Canal, Burlington Northern Railroad and Bromley Lane (East l52nd Avenue) prior to joining Beebe Draw upstream of Piccidilly Road. The only drainage structures on Magpie Run are three 42" diameter concrete pipes under 1-76. Flow that reaches the Speer Canal will be diverted until the canal capacity is exceeded. There is no distinct channel downstream of the Speer Canal. Flows reaching the Burlington - Northern Railroad embankment will be diverted north along the railroad grade. Current land use in the basin is agricultural but a merchandise distribution center is planned in the near future. There is no distinct channel downstream of the Speer Canal. Flood HistoIY Little information is available on past flooding along Beebe Draw. Discharge measurements, high water marks and other flood data have not been officially recorded. Most published accounts of past flooding in the area are related to Third Creek, Second Creek, and the South Platte River. A verbal account from a long time area resident indicated that the only time any high flows were noticed in Beebe Draw was in June of 1965. This high water was caused by heavy rains and releases from Barr Lake. No damage along Beebe Draw was reported from this storm. The presence of Barr Lake has reduced or eliminated most of the flooding problems for some distance downstream of the reservoir. However, the reservoir is privately owned by the Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company and was not built for flood storage. The facility is 3