Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />District Engineer <br />June 13, 1980 <br />Page -2- <br /> <br />mining operation's 10 acre pond, stated that the cut between the 10 acre <br />pond and the St. Vrain was the result of emergency m~•.asures taken to <br />prevent high waters from flooding adjacent lands. High waters have occurred <br />on the site recently as evidence by drift wood and other debris which are typical <br />remnants of high waters and flooding. A dike currently blocks the canal <br />water from entering the pond. The cut on the bank between the pond and <br />creek has been filled, however, stress fractures along the old access road <br />and also on a buffer which separates the adjacent landowner's pond from the <br />10 acre pond, are evident and indicate a stability problem. <br />The most critical problem associated with this operation is the potential <br />of further high water created by spring snowmelt to cause a breach in all <br />banks and buffers between the creek, canal, and ponds, and is a potential <br />and immediate hazard to the adjacent landowner from flooding. Further, due <br />to the close proximity of the disturbance to the St. Vrain, accelerated <br />sedimentation and siltation can be expected for the St. Vrain and the above <br />mentioned ponds which could negatively affect aquatic ecosystems. Since <br />mining has occurred in the creek bed, a potential change in the creek's <br />gradient could occur with possible creek bed erosion cutting upstream and <br />potentially threatening upstream civil structures. <br />Weld County is currently in violation of a Mined Land Reclamation Board <br />ordered Cease and Desist and the Division is presently taking other legal <br />action against the County for this operation., The Division, however, is <br />unable to adequately assess the above mining operation's impacts on the <br />observed disturbances. The Division would hope that a study of the area <br />by the Army Corps of Engineers, through its Technical Assistance Program, <br />might clarify the situation by determining what of the observed disturbances <br />described above could be directly linked to lJeld County's mining operation, <br />and if possible, what should be done to return stability to the affected area. <br />We greatly appreciate your assistance. <br />Sincerely, <br />Brad Janes <br />Reclamation Specialist <br />Post Script - In my conversations with Ralf Miller (District Engineer-Omaha) <br />it is our understanding that if we receive technical assistance from the <br />Lorps that such assistance would be offered free of charge. <br />