FLOOD09347

• County: Denver
• Community: All
• Stream Name: All
• Basin: South Platte
• Title: Nature's Building Codes: Geology and Construction in Colorado
• Date: 1/1/1979
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: CGS
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

recognized and incorporated into project plans. Geologic
constraints can affect road and foundation stability, sewage
disposal feaslbll ity, cut and fill stability, and other
construction activities. These include factors such as
potentially unstable slopes, expansive soils,
hydrocompaction, high ground-water levels, ground subsidence,
shallow bedrock, erosion, and sol I creep.

Mineral resources usually do not affect safety of Individuals
or the stability of structures but they may Impact the
long-term economic well-being of citizens within the county
and state. l\1ineral resources should be evaluated,
adminlstered,"and protected to permit the wisest use of our
lImited resources. Minerai resources including occurrences
of construction materials and Industrial minerals at the
surface and metal I ic and mineral fuel deposits within the
subsurface, should be evaluated and described in the report.

,...

These resources, such as 01 I, gas, coal, sand and gravel,
uranium, and precious metals, should not only be economically
evaluated but also should be evaluated with regard to
multiple sequential land-use. This program considers the
analysis of mineral extraction followed by use of the land
for other activities. Colorado Geological Survey Special
Publication 6 (Rogers and others, 1974) and Speclai
Publication 8 (Shelton, 1977) should be consulted for
detal led descriptions of mineral resources and resource
factors.

Water resources, Incl uding surface and ground waters, are
simi lar to mineral resources in that they usually do not
adversely affect the safety of Individuais or the stabl I Ity
of structures. However, water resources must be ana I yzed
with regard to location, quality, and quantity so that
possible pollution, recharge, or depletion can be determined.

The analysis of geologic hazards, geologic constraints,
mineral resources, and water conditions constitutes the major
part of an engineering geology report. The analysis,
supported directly from geologic data and information, should
identify and Interpret adverse geologic processes and
important mineral and water resources. It should evaluate
(1) the effects of geologic processes or resources on the
proposed construction and (2) the effect of the proposed
project on the future geologic processes or resources in the
area.

Conclusions and ii.acommendations: Report conclusions and
recommendati ons vary great I y from report to report because of
variable geologic conditions and 61fferent project criteria.
Regardless of these variations, the data necessary for safe
construction, long-term vlabl IIty of the project, and
adequate protection of mineral and water resources must be

contained in the engineering geology report. It is equally
important that this report be used in the planning process;
e.g., the preparation of the preliminary plat. Geologic
factors are incorporated most easi Iy before submittal of the
report to reviewing agencies.

Report conclusions and recommendations should be stated In
ordinary and unambiguous language and should first identify
the critical geologic aspects of all elements of the project.
The geo i og i c feas I b i I i ty of the proj ect shou I d be determ i ned
and mitigation measures or design changes recommended to
minimize or abate any adverse conditions. Further studies
should be recommended if needed.

Engineering Geology Report Guidelines

The gul del ines that follow are a general outline of the
materials usually included In an engineering geology report.
Items discussed In the outl ine were campi led from a variety
of sources especially the California Division of Mines and
Geo logy, V~ntura County and the City of San Jose, Ca I i forn I a,
and from publications of the Association of Engineering
Geologists. Specific references used in this compilation are
cited at the end of this appendix and should be consulted for
additional detai Is.

These guidelines are not Intended as a rigid framework of
requ i remants, a spec If i c format for a I I reports, or report
procedures for a II geotechn I ca I invest I gat Ions. Part I cu! ar
items or investigations I isted may be deleted or may require
emphasis because of local geologic conditions or type of
project proposed. This outline should be considered as a
genera I II st of geotechn i ca I i nformat I on common I y eva I uated
and provided In an engineering geologic Investigation.

I. BASIC INFORMATION
A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Describe present zoning, land-use
proposed and structure(s)
anticipated.

2. Indicate size and relationship of
the project to the surrounding
area.

B. LOCATION

1. Specify the project location in
terms of section, township and

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