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<br />Soils on the mesa are deep, dark colored, and well <br />drained. They have loam and clay loam surface layers <br />and clay loam subsoil layers. They are slowly perme- <br />able and have a high water holding capacity. Depth to <br />seasonal high water table is below 6' feet (180 cm). <br />Slopes range from 3 to'25 percent. <br /> <br />The water erosion hazard is slight on the bottomland <br />soils and moderate on the mesa soils. <br /> <br />(2) Problems and Potentials <br /> <br />Eighty acres (32 ha) in the eastern part of the Town of <br />Hayden are in a flood prone area. On the average, sig- <br />nificant flooding occurs about once in four years. <br />Ninety-five houses, 75 outbuildings, 65 mobile homes, <br />32 businesses, 7 institutional properties, 3 apartment <br />complexes, and 2-1/2 miles (4 km) of city streets are <br />subject ,to damage from overflow of the Shelton & Walker <br />irrigation ditches. Value of all property in the flood <br />prone area is estimated at 4.2 million dollars. Over 200 <br />people are directly affected by excessive water. Average <br />an~ual damage is estimated at $19,250. <br /> <br />The Shelton & Walker irrigation ditches, diverted from <br />the Yampa River, pass through the town flowing westward. <br />During periods of rapid snowmelt or heavy rainfall, <br />runoff from the 760 acre (304 ha) watershed exceeds the <br />capacity of the ditches and floods portions of the town. <br />Existing drainageways and their outlets are inadequate. <br />Water backs up behind a railroad and highway embankment <br />and ponds in low places. In June 1968 water was reported <br />to be i nsi de 7 homes. <br /> <br />U. S. Highway 40, which bisects the problem area, was <br />elevated several years ago. This solved the non-local <br />traffic problem, but increased the flood and drainage <br />problem around houses on both sides of the highway. A <br />drain system was investigated to solve the high water <br />table problem of the area. However, the cost far ex- <br />ceeded the benefits and it was determined that a sub- <br />surface drainage system was not feasible. <br /> <br />Sudden growth was thrust upon Hayden because of vast coal <br />resources in the area and the urgency to respond to <br />national energy needs. Demand for decent, safe, and <br />sanitary living conditions has exceeded the local people's <br />technical and financial capabilities. <br /> <br />2 <br />