PROJ00474

• Contract/PO #: FS0005x
• Contractor Name: Central Colorado Water Conservancy District
• County: El Paso
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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MEMO TO FILE

SUBJECT: Boot Leg Reservoir Dam
W. Div. 1, W. Dist. 1

DATE: August 28, 1983

On August 11, 1983, I was contacted by Lawrence Gerkin, manager of the Henrylyn
Irrigation District concerning the above referenced reservoir dam. Mr. Gerkin
contacted me in response to an inquiry made of him by Alan Pearson of our office
during a follow-up of recent correspondence concerning Boot Leg Reservoir Dam.
During this conversation, alternatives to the repair or abandonment of Boot
Leg Reservoir Dam were discussed. Mr. Gerkin proposes to cut the dam down using.
a carry-all to a depth 10 to 12 feet below the current crest elevation of the
dam for a width of approximately 200 feet in the area adjacent to the outlet
section. Mr. Gerkin then is planning on concrete lining this section and on the
lower or downstream slope of the embankment converging the structure, concentrat-
ing flows through the checkboard structure in the Henrylyn Canal downstream of
the embankment. Mr. Gerkin felt that the construction of this type of concrete
structure could be done relatively inexpensively and would provide additional
spillway capacity.

During this conversation, the requirements of our previous correspondence con-
cerning Boot Leg were discussed. Mr. Gerkin stated that in view of the use
or benefits derived from the structure by the Henrylyn Irrigation District,
expenditures of large capital on the structure were not warranted. Mr. Gerkin
saw no need in restoring the crest of the dam to a uniform elevation nor did
he see justification for the expenditures of funds to have their engineer study
the spillway situation and the likelihood of overflows from the reservoir into
the west spillway. In regard to the west spillway, our concerns were explained
as being those similar to Clay Creek Reservoir where spillway flows were
diverted into an adjacent. drainage through a low saddle on the reservoir peri-
meter, making the owners liable for damages caused by those diverted spillway
flows. I stated to Mr. Gerkin that that was a basis for our letter, to inform
the company of that potential liability.

Mr. Gerkin assured me that his company was considering the situation and that
people downstream of the reservoir were concerned as to the loss of their
flood protection should the reservoir be altered or breached. Mr. Gerkin was
encouraged to contact local entities in an effort to arouse interest concerning
the conversion of Boot Leg Reservoir into a properly designed flood control
structure. Likely entities which may be interested included Weld County,
the Soil Conservation Service, and the State Highway Department. .

I informed Mr. Gerkin that if such a spillway structure as proposed during ~he
initial portions of the conversation were to be constructed at the site~ plans
and specifications for that structure would have to be submitted to and approved
by our office prior to construction. I also-stated that we would like to know
of the district's intent to breach the dam and the configuration to which they