Laserfiche WebLink
<br />RICHARD 0 lAMM <br />..Governor <br /> <br />. <br /> <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />/ -. 'I <br />2.)70 S <br /> <br />......"- <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />JERIS A DANIELSON <br />Stale EngIneer <br /> <br />1313 Sherman Street-Room 818 <br />Denver. COlorado 80203 <br />(303) 866-3581 <br /> <br />October 14, 1986 <br /> <br /> <br />OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER <br />DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES <br /> <br />Mr. william J. McDonald. Director <br />colorado Water Conservation Board <br />1313 Sherman St. Room 721 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br /> <br />--- <br /> <br />Re: <br /> <br />Rio Grande Reservoir <br />W. Div. 3. DAMID: 200137 <br /> <br />Dear Mr. McDonald: <br /> <br />As you know. the Rio Grande Reservoir is experiencing significant safety <br />and operational problems. The two major safety problems facing the dam owners <br />and potentially the downstream property owners are the following: <br /> <br />1. Damaged Outlet Works - As a result of the last season's releases from <br />the reservoir. all the protective steel plates have been torn from the chamber <br />walls and significant erosion has occurred in the concrete gate chamber. In <br />addition. both the downstream and upstream gates have been damaged. In my <br />judgment. the existing outlet will not safely operate another season. <br /> <br />2. Considerable seepage along the left abutment and in the rock outlet <br />tunnel - Full evaluation of the high seepage rates is required to determine if <br />remedial repairs are needed or if control of the seepage is feasible and <br />required. without specific informatiOn concerning the source and impact of <br />this seepage. I am most concerned for the safety of the dam. <br /> <br />Because of the high potential for the 105S of life and property damage. I <br />am required to take immediate action qnd require the repair of the dam before <br />the next runoff season. or require thqt the gates remain fully open to pass <br />all inflow. This will cause further deterioration to the structure. <br /> <br />The San Luis Valley is having economic difficulties and is very dependent <br />upon the successful and efficient use of the water resources in the area. The <br />loss of storage and use of the Rio Gr~nde Reservoir will, in my judgment. have <br />a major impact on the economics of the valley. It also is important to my <br />administration of the Rio Grande Comp~ct in that compact water can be stored <br />until it can be determined if it will be needed for delivery to downstream <br />states. <br /> <br />KC: <br /> <br />- <br />~(!_,,-,(-'~-",' 1I..1~~i ""'(L{..A_..." t <br />(' I ... I.. L . ~ r.... - j <br />It! !-; , ,..1 \...-'..,L .l~, ..~) <br />