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i• <br />5.0 IMPACTS OF THE FACILITY ON ESSENTIAL HYDROLOGIC FUNCTIONS <br />The CWI coal loadout facility was constructed in 1976 <br />prior to the issuance of the Colorado state laws pertaining to <br />the protection of farming and water supply. <br />In the following parts, the impacts of the facility on <br />essential hydrologic functions, both in the field of surface and <br />ground water, are discussed. <br />5.1 IMPACTS ON SURFACE WATER <br />The following impacts or potential impacts on the surface <br />water regime may be identified: <br />• o Impact of the railroad spur bridge across the North Fork <br />Gunnison River and the adjoining fills across the alluvial valley <br />of the river. The bridge itself does not influence the surface <br />water regime at all; railroad spur fills would obstruct flood <br />irrigation of the area if the alluvial valley downstream of the <br />fill were flood irrigated from the river. Our studies indicate <br />that the area downstream of the fill is irrigated from ditches; <br />flood irrigation (direct flooding by the river) is not practiced <br />as the area is populated. Moreover, the area is outside the <br />flood potential. According to the Flood Hazard Information for <br />the North Fork Gunnison River (1980) only a limited area near the <br />pond within the CWI property (Plate 1) is included in the 100- <br />year flood limits. This area, in addition to a narrow strip along <br />the river, composes less than 1.5 percent of the permit area. <br />• <br />15 <br />GEO-HYDRO CONSULTING, INC. <br />