|
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />,
<br />I
<br />J
<br />I
<br />"
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />I
<br />
<br />ARKANSAS RIVER FROM JOHN MARTIN DAM TO
<br />THE COLORADO-KANSAS STATE LINE:
<br />CHANNEL CAPACITY AND RIPARIAN HABITAT PLANNING STUDY
<br />
<br />1. INTRODUCTION
<br />
<br />The channel capacity of the Arkansas River below John Martin Dam has decreased
<br />significantly since the construction of the dam, When the dam was completed in 1948, the
<br />channel capacity was estimated to be 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), By 1965, channel
<br />capacity had decreased to about 3,000 cfs due to encroachment on the floodway by
<br />development and vegetation (USACE 1983), During spring 1995 flood control releases, it was
<br />reported that the channel was not able to convey the release of 3,000 cfs through Coolidge,
<br />Kansas, without causing backwater effects, including a high water table and subsurface damage
<br />to crops in many areas of the flood plain,
<br />
<br />In a December 1, 1995, letter to the U,S, Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District
<br />(Corps), the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) formally requested Section 22
<br />planning assistance for restoring hydraulic capacity and riverine/riparian ecosystem values in
<br />the Arkansas River below John Martin Dam, The Corps,CWCB agreement (50/50 cost share)
<br />was signed in August 1996,
<br />
<br />1.1 STUDY AUTHORITY
<br />
<br />This channel capacity and riparian habitat planning study was performed under authority
<br />of the U,S, Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Planning Assistance to States
<br />Program. The program's authority stems from Section 22 of the Water Resources Development
<br />Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-251), as amended, Section 22 authorizes the Secretary of the
<br />Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to assist the states in the preparation of
<br />comprehensive plans for the development, utilization and conservation of water and related
<br />land resources of drainage basins, watersheds, or ecosystems, Section 22 studies are
<br />undertaken for planning, not design and construction, purposes,
<br />
<br />1.2 STUDY PURPOSE
<br />
<br />The study's purpose is to develop and evaluate long,term maintenance plans which, when
<br />implemented, can improve channel capacity for flood flows and restore riverine and riparian
<br />habitat along the Arkansas River below John Martin Dam, Investigation of changes to the
<br />current reservoir operation plan was not a study objective,
<br />
<br />1.3 STUDY REACH AND TYPICAL PROBLEM AREAS
<br />
<br />The Arkansas River study reach extends from John Martin Dam 58 river-miles
<br />downstream to the Colorado,Kansas state line, The CWCB and Corps coordinated with local
<br />and state interests to identify five specific problem areas to investigate, Five problem areas,
<br />
<br />1
<br />
|