PROJ00455

• Contract/PO #: C153583
• Contractor Name: Ute Water Conservancy District
• Water District: 0
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
II

3.0 SITE CONDmONS

3.1 General

The project site is located in Sections 13 and 24, Township 10 South, Range 98 West, Mesa County,
Colorado. The project area is situated approximately 3.5 miles northeast of the town of Cameo in
the area shown on Figure 3.1.

The overall project area can be characterized as a steep, cliff-like or canyon-type topography. The
new tunnel is proposed to be located on the west wall of the Plateau Creek Canyon. Elevations in
the vicinity of the proposed tunnel range from 4,760 feet to 6,000 feet, MSL. The topography of
this area can be described as a series of steep to near vertical cliffs and associated benches. The
overall slope angles of these stair-step cliffs and benches are approximately 40 and 35 degrees on
the east and west portals, respectively.

The pipeline alternative route makes use of a natural, relatively gentle slope from east to west. The
highest elevation of approximately 4,800 feet, occurs at the east pipeline terminus point. From this
location the topography gently slopes northwest towards and across the Colorado River and then,
southwest along the river to a low elevation of approximately 4,760feet at the second river crossing.

3.2 Vegetation

The site generally lies in an arid region with sparse vegetation on the cliffs and canyon walls and
sparse to dense vegetation along the flood plain of Plateau Creek and the Colorado River.

The vegetation at the new tunnel site includes native grass and forb species such as Western
Wheatgrass and Big Sagebrush. At the upper portions of the vertical relief, where the topography
is not as rugged, a series of tall (10-15 feet) Juniper or Western Cedar trees were observed.

The vegetation along the bypass pipeline consists of native grass, forb and shrub species such as
Wheatgrass, Sagebrush, Rubber Rabbitbrush, Blue Grama and Mountain Mabogany. The
vegetation is generally sparse along the proposed pipeline route with the exception of areas along
the west bank of Plateau Creek at its confluence with the Colorado River and the area along the
west bank of the Colorado River. Mature cottonwoods were observed in the areas to the north of
the information center located along State Highway 65, along Plateau Creek and along the western
bank of the Colorado River.

8