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oa28u5 After the Colorado Department of Highways (CDOH) had experienced the partial loss of an approximately 300-ft-long section of HWY 24 between Dowds Junction and Minturn, renewed investigation of the landsliding problem that caused this highway loss was initiated in late April, 1985. Land-Use and Development History Formal design studies began for I-70 in the Dowds Junction area in 1963. The old landslides were recognized and methods to allow construction were incorporated into the highway design. During construction of the I-70 Eagle River bridge in 1968, it was observed that some movement of the landslide was taking place on the south side of the rive~. Surveys indicated annual movements of 1/2 to 3 inches per year with most movement occurring during the snowmelt period. Continuing slow movement was noted in the west abutment, but no serious distress was recorded in the bridge structure or foundation. Some movement in the roadway west of the bridge continued each year requiring maintenance. Several problems relating to soils and geology have been experienced since completion of the Interstate highway construction. These include landslides, fill failure, bin wall distress, and flows of artesian water from the pavement. Geologie Evaluation Meadow Mountain The Meadow Mountain landslide is a compound slope failure consisting of shallow to deep (up to 40 ft) earthflows occurring on the surface of at least three much deeper (90 to 16D ft) translational landslides involving bedrock. The basal surface has numerous bedrock shear zones present above the basal shear. The landslide area covers more than one half square mile. Whiskey Creek The Whiskey Creek landslide probably formed initially as a massive earthflow or a series of earthflows. This landslide is the largest in the area. However, it is also probably the oldest and least active with the exception of the toe of its east lobe, adjacent to I-70. - 80 -