WSP01428

• File Number: 8149.700
• Description: Miscellaneous Small Projects and Project Studies - Homestake Project
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 10/29/1982
• Author: various
• Title: Documents related to the Homestake Project
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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county-designated flood plains, and accordingly none are shown. No
bedrock aquifers are known to exist in the project area. As noted in
the Sundeen and Fifer Report on Wetlands And Minimum Stream Flows
(Attachment 13), the project area has a very smal1 alluvial aquifer and
run-off tends to move very quickly through the watershed. Stream flow
depletion is not expected to have any adverse impacts upon the aquifer.
After diversions, Cross Creek annual flow would be reduced by 33%, and
June flows would decrease about 42%. Fall Creek reductions would be 40%
in annual flow, and 55% in June flows. Additionally, water quality
impacts are expected to be minimal as no pollutants are being added.
(See DEIS p. 4-12) A mass balance analysis of water quality on the
Eagle River below Cross Creek after diversion, shows that not a sing Ie
water quality parameter adopted by the Water Quality Control Commission
for this segment will be exceeded. (Note that these Commission adopted
standards were not adopted by the Commission as control regulations.
Accordingly, the standards can not be "violated". Nor are the standards
s s
intended to interfere with the right to divert, (see s 25-8-104, s
25-8-503 (5) CRS '73, as amended 19B1).

(ii) On The Same Map Indicate Any Floodplain Associated With
The Proposed Development. Documentation Of Historical
Flooding Activity Should Be Included. Detail Potential
Adverse Impacts Of Associated Floodplain;

The diversion structures will be located in the stream bed whol1y within
the natural floodplain. However, this is not a county designated flood
plain for FEMA purposes. It should be noted that the diversion structures
(see Attachment 6) are designed for a minimum stream bypass and at the
same time are designed to pass waters in excess of the ability of the
diversion structure itself. No adverse impact on the floodplain is
anticipated during operation. On the contrary, a positive impact should
result from the decrease of peak flows due to diversion operations by
minimizing flood occurrances.

(iii)

Describe The Potential Adverse Effects Of The Proposed
Development Upon Plant And Animal Life Dependent
Upon The Water Resources In Question;

See DEIS, p. 4-16 and 4-17, for the minor adverse impact anticipated
with the development of the Homestake Phase II Project on plant and
animal life. The actual ground disturbed during the construction of the
project is approximately 1.5 acres in size for each of the four diversion
sites. Spruce-fir is the primary vegetative type. After completion of
construction, and revegetation will be-performed at each diversion site.
It is anticipated that during construction animal life will avoid these
areas; further, wildlife populations would not be expected to be affected
by the small amount of habitat disturbed. No threatened or endangered
species have been determined to be impacted by the project in the source
development area. Hybrid species of Colorado Cutthroat Trout are present
in the upper reaches of Cross Creek and the lower reaches of East Cross
and West Cross Creeks due to fish planting in high lakes by the Colorado
Division of Wildlife. However, fish bypass flows wil1-be sufficient to
protect fishery habitat. In fact, reduced velocities will enhance
spawning (see pages 3-11 and 4-17 of DEIS).

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