WSP02105

• File Number: 8200.765
• Description: White River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Yampa/White
• Water Division: 6
• Date: 5/1/1986
• Author: Morrison-Knudsen
• Title: White River Geotechnical Study - Final Report - Volume I
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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basin development process, was to advance the level of geotechnical knowledge
of the potential damsites and identify as early as possible a~ fatal flaws or
promi nent cost factors that mi ght el imi nate a si te from further consi der-
ation. In addition, this higher level of geotechnical infonnation and data
would allow more refined cost estimates to be made over the range of dam and
reservoir sizes to be considered in the future.

1;2 Report Contents

The following report summarizes the activities and presents the results of the
work contracted by MKE with the State of Colorado. It di scusses the geology
of the region as well as the project area. A brief discussion of flood
hydrology is i ncl uded as well as a descri pti on of spill way and dam si zi ng.
The process that was followed in selecting the specific sites to be studied is
presented. An overview of the geotechnical methods employed in the study is
described and the parameters for preparing the appraisal-level designs and
cost estimates are outlined.

Each site at which subsurface exploration took place is treated as a separate
secti on in the report; The narrati ve i ncl udes: the hi story of study at each
site, a description of the reservoir characteristics, site geology, a summary
of the fi ndi ngs of the foundati on i nvesti gati on and constructi on materi al s
i nvesti gati ons, as well as observati ons regardi ng the engi neeri ng geology of
the site. A description of the appraisal-level designs and cost estimates
that were prepared, along with a discussion of the findings and conclusions as
to the technical and economic feasibility, is included in each Section.
Finally, overall concl usi ons are drawn with regard to the geotechni cal feasi-
bility of the various projects and economic comparisons are made of the sites
for the three reservoir sizes evaluated.

Project and site topographic maps, a property ownership map, borehole and test
pit logs, and photographs are included as appendices to the report. Other
items contained in the appendices are laboratory test results, stability
analyses of the dams, hydrologic related data, and construction cost
estimates. The aerial photographs and topographic maps that were prepared in
conjunction with this study were submitted to the CWCB under separate cover.

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