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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Almost all of the check structures show visible signs of aging. They are cracked

in many places and on some the end walls have been severely turned in by lateral

earth pressures. Water forces over the years have severely scoured around the

ends of all the structures. This scouring has affected the structures to dif-

ferent degrees, but it has been almost impossible to keep any of the embankments

in proper shape around the structures.

The check structures have deteriorated in this way because when the majority of

them were installed, there was no regard for proper hydraulic design. These

check structures were placed merely to check the water. These structures are

the lifeblood of the canal. Should one of the structures collapse during ir-

rigation, the farmers serviced by the structure and also those downstream from

it would be affected. It would take at least three (3) to four (4) days to

construct an emergency structure, which could be enough time to severely impair,

if not destroy certain crops. It would, no doubt, raise a number of legal ques-

tions with respect to responsibility.

We feel that many of these structures should be replaced. This replacement will

be in the form of new check structures or piping, depending on the method on canal

rehabilitation used. We will give our recommendations as to which structures

should be rebuilt and when in the Plan of Development Section of this study.

Canal:

As stated at the beginning of this report, the canal at present is earthen. It

begins at the Highland Ditch just west of Mead, Colorado. Two hundred (200)c.f.s.

are taken from the Highland Ditch through headworks which are as dilapidated as

most of the check structures downstream from it. The responsibility for the

headworks is in question at this time. Therefore, we have not included the

headworks as part of the rehabilitation program.

About two hundred to three hundred (200-300) feet downstream of the headworks,

the water passes through a large Parshall Flume; which is in reasonably good

shape. From that point on, it flows down the ditch through the various check

structures, turnouts and finally through the outlet works.

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