PROJ00434

• Contract/PO #: C153337
• Contractor Name: Farmers Extension Ditch & Highland Lake Lateral Company
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 1
• County: Weld
• Bill Number: FSA
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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Empire Laboratories. Inc.

MATERIALS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERS

214 No. Howes Fort Collins. Colorado 80522
P,O, Box 429 (3031484-0359

Branch Offices
1242 BramwOOd Place
Longmant, COloradO 80501
P.O. Box 1135
[phone]

July 11, 1980

3151 Nation Way
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
p.O. Box 10076
[phone]

Taranto Stanton & Tagge
6412 South College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Attention: Mr, Robert Schemmerling

Re: Mead Lateral and Farmers Extension Ditches
Weld County, Colorado
ELI Project No, 4110

Gentlemen;

The following observations summarize a reconnaissance made of the Mead
Lateral Ditch and the Farmers Extension Ditch, Weld County, Colorado,
The ditch begins southwest of Mead, Colorado at its diversion from the
Highland Ditch and terminates approximately four (4) miles south of
Johnstown, Colorado, Based upon USGS topographic surveys, relief from
the beginning to the end of the ditch is approximately one hundred
thirty (130) feet, We understand typically the slope of the channel is
approximately one-half percent (1/2%), Slope in the reach west of
County Road 13 to the Davis Reservoir is approximately one percent (1%),
We understand that the ditch construction began in the late 1800's.

There are many diversions and drop structures within the eight and one-
half (8-1/2) mile reach of the ditch, The majority of the structures
are old and in need of repair, Rotation of many of the structure walls
has occurred indicating lateral earth pressures in excess of design
and/or erosion and undermining of footings, Erosion as a result of
turbulence of the ditch sides and probably the bottom of the channel
downstream of the structures is occurring at all structural locations,
Some erosion was also observed immediately upstream of the structures as
a result of increased headwater, It is our opinion that positive
remedial measures to reduce erosion at all structures are required, If
structures are to be replaced, they should be structurally and hydrauli-
cally designed to minimize erosion, For structures to remain in place,
slopes adjacent to these structures should be rebuilt and reshaped to
retard erosion,

MEMBER OF CONSULTING ENGINEERS COUNCIL