WSP00908

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 11/12/1986
• Author: Morrison-Knudsen
• Title: Summary of Water Resources Development Investigations - 1966 through 1986 - White River Basin
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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TITLE:

DATE:

SPONSOR:

OBJECTIVE:

003 Q1 7

WHITE RIVER GEOTECHNICAL STUDY

May, 1 986

Colorado Water Conservation Board

To conduct subsurface geotechnical exploration of
previously identified potential dam sites, evaluate the
source and characteri sti cs of construction material sand
upgrade the level of detail of site data.

SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS:

Geotechnical exploration was conducted at the following sites:
Lake Avery, Warner Point, Choke Cherry, Veatch Gulch, Canyon and
Powell Park. In addition to the geotechnical data from drilling
and materials testing, topograph maps were produced based upon 1986
aeri al photographs, and geol ogi c maps of the reservoi r areas were
prepared.

None of the sites can be excluded on the basis of geologic fatal
fl aw. Whil e 1 andsl i des were detected on the 1 eft abutments of
Warner Point and Canyon sites, they are not so extensive to prevent
location of a dam in the vicinity. The foundations below the
all uvial and weathered overburden are of suffi ci ent strength to
support the range of major dams examined in the study. Cost
estimates were prepared for dams impounding 50,000, 100,000 and
300,000 acre-foot reservoirs, and there is no single site where the
dam is the most economical over the entire range.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS:

It was recommended that dam sites at Warner Point, Canyon and
Powell Park remain as the primary potential for future
consideration of a water development project. The least expensive,
or most practical site, is heavily influenced by the total size of
the reservoir to be required. Moderate-to-large storage reservoirs
in the Upper White River Basin are not restricted by geotechnical
elements for the three preferred sites.

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