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C7~IGIN/~-L <br />Southwestern / <br />Ecological l/ <br />Services <br />37 East Colorado Avenue Denver, Colorado r <br />July 10, 2006 <br />Vegetation Analysis <br />Wetland Ecology <br />Land Rehabilitation Planning <br />Photodocumentation <br />• (303) 722-9067 Fax 1-866-820-1556 (toll free) <br />Berhan Keffelew Fax and mail followup <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Room 215 <br />1313 Sherman Street <br />D//enver, CO 80203 <br />/RE: Arkansas River breaks through at Pueblo East Pit <br />Permit No.: M-1986-015 / <br />Deaz Berhan: <br />RECE~~/~~ <br />JUL 1 12006 <br />vision of Minerals andueu:c.:;; <br />With the huge Flooding events in the Pueblo area, the Arkansas River broke through the bank and flooded the <br />Pueblo East Pit. At this time only limited details are available, but apparently the river broke through but did not exit <br />and is still flowing in its original channel. The breach is on the order of 300 feet wide and of unknown depth. The pit <br />is basically a lake. Most of the area is still inaccessible. <br />The included hydrogxaphs indicate the amount of water that came down the river. The fast two are most important. <br />It appears that about 5,700 cfs came down the Arkansas River and 10,000 cfs came down Fountain Creek. The <br />Moffat Street gauging station is upstream from the confluence with Fountain Cteek. Therefore, adding in what <br />might have entered the river downstream from the confluence the river was likely flowing at around 16,000 cfs, or <br />possibly more. <br />Diana Humphreys of the Corps of Engineers has been notified and, at this point, has no problem with the solution <br />proposed by Transit Mix of Pueblo. They will visit the site early next week after more can be determined regazding <br />the nature of the breach. Basically, the thought is to rebuild the breach area. Fortunately, this week should be much <br />drier and hotter than it has been recently which should provide some time to assess the situation further. <br />More information will be provided as it becomes available, but it may be a few days before a full assessment can be <br />made. Once it is determined what damages exist, and what solution is-feasible, I will.br in_contact wir_h you reg~-riling <br />any ci~anges that might be needed in the permit. At this point, other than the repair work, I don't anticipate any plan <br />changes. But, until the situation can be examined more thoroughly, nothing can really be said about how this might <br />influence future operations at this site. <br />Sincerely, <br />~~Y' <br />'Mark A. Heffner <br />cc Jerry Hexmans <br />