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II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PROJECT SUMMARY Engineering evaluations of dam safety deficiencies at Sheriff Reservoir, owned by the Town of Oak Creek, Colorado, have determined that modifications to the existing dam are required to provide adequate flood routing protection. The Town of Oak Creek is located along State Highway 131, approximately 18 miles south of Steamboat Springs in Routt County. The town was founded in 1907 and was formally incorporated in the same year. The current population is estimated to be between 930 and 960. The Town owns and maintains its own water supply system including Sheriff Reservoir. The reservoir, along with direct flow water rights on Trout Creek, supply a minimum of 30 percent of the water demand of the town. Future administration of water rights on Trout Creek will result in an increasing need for the water that is stored in the reservoir. Because of the identified dam safety deficiencies and the rules and regulations of the Colorado State Engineer's Office (SEO), failure by the Town of Oak Creek to construct the required modifications to the reservoir could result in loss of the use of the reservoir. Results of the engineering evaluation described in this report indicate that the most cost effective and reliable means of providing the required flood routing protection is to construct ov~rtopping protection. The project is both technically and financially feasible, but assistance from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) will be required. In addition, the Town will be obtaining its portion of the required funds through the sale of general obligation municipal bonds and by seeking grants from appropriate local, state, and federal sources to assist in funding the project. The Town will be increasing water-user fees and/or property taxes to generate revenue for payback of borrowed funds. CWCB assistance in the form of a long-term, low- interest loan is needed.