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altered drainage pattern and reconstructed channel may not <br />have been designed to effectively handle the runoff from such <br />a large sto-rm event. Raving a drainageway from such a large <br />watershed perched on the top of what is now a sort of ridge <br />situated between your property and the parcel on which Century <br />Bquipment is located would appear to present en ongoing <br />problem as reconstructed drainageways are often unstable and <br />prone to both vertical and lateral shifting of the channel <br />during heavy thunderstorm events. One thing that was apparent <br />while walking the channel was that the slope gradient of the <br />channel flattens out considerably as it nears your property. <br />This would appear to explain why the steeper portion of the <br />drainageway exhibited scouring due to the higher velocity of <br />runoff and why the lower portion situated on your property <br />showed deposition and infilling as the gradient decreased and <br />the velocity of runoff was not sufficient to carry the large <br />cobbles further downstream. One-possible solution would be t6 - -- <br />consult with an engineer having experience in drainage design <br />aad look into establishing a more even channel gradient <br />between the east boundary of your property and the highway <br />culvert inlet. The size of the highway culvert may also be a <br />problem that you may wish to talk to the Colo. Dept. of <br />Transportation about. At any rate, some degree of channel <br />clean out work may be advisable before the start- of the <br />upcoming summer thunderstorm season. <br />5) As I recall from our meeting at the site last September, there <br />was also a concern over the access road that leads from the <br />highway up to Mr. Helmerick's residence on the top of the <br />mesa. This road is not a part of the mining operation and as <br />such is outside our Division's jurisdiction. <br />To summarize, the Division sympathizes with your concerns over the <br />problems you have experienced as a result of last August's heavy <br />reins, however based on my observations of the drainageway it does <br />not appear that either the J & J Pit or the Carbon Junction Mine <br />have caused or contributed in any significant way to the problem. <br />Please contact me at 247-5062 here in Durango if you have any <br />questions or comments. Also, please feel free to contact my <br />Supervisor, Mr. Jim Stevens of our Denver Office, phone no. 303- <br />866-3567 if you so desire. <br />Sincerely, <br />/ C~=~7 <br />Tom Gillis <br />Bnvironmental Protection Specialist <br />/tdg <br />cc: Jim Stevens <br />b:GALLBGOS <br />3 <br />