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Home My WebLink About1.19 CWA404_Coordination_RydenNo1_and_CO_CP_PiersonFloodplain Development Report for Middle Colorado Agriculture Collaborative Fish Passage Design in New Castle, Colorado 211-020.020 Wright Water Engineers, Inc. Attachments July 2024 E.1 CWA 404 Permit Documentation Project 1 (WWE has not yet received cultural survey from the BoR or approval from the USACE. When cultural survey documentation and approval documentation arrives, WWE will submit the documentation to Garfield County) DENVER DURANGO (303) 480-1700 TEL (303) 480-1020 FAX (970) 259-7411 TEL (970) 259-8758 FAX Wright Water Engineers, Inc. 818 Colorado Ave., Ste. 307 www.wrightwater.com Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 ngreenberg@wrightwater.com (970) 945-7755 TEL (970) 945-9210 FAX June 24, 2024 Via Email: SPA-RD-CO@usace.army.mil U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Colorado Branch Re: Clean Water Act Section 404(f) Exemption Request-Ryden No. 1 and CO & CP Pierson Ditch and Diversion Project (Project 1), Garfield County, Colorado Dear U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager: Wright Water Engineers, Inc. (WWE) is sending you this letter request regarding planned irrigation diversion structure work on Elk Creek in Garfield County, Colorado (see Figure 1). The planned work (Project) is intended to replace an aging irrigation diversion structure (the CO & CP Pierson Ditch Diversion) with a new structure that will require less maintenance (and associated reoccurring adverse effects to Elk Creek), more efficient diversion of water for agricultural irrigation, and allow fish passage up- and downstream past the structure. Additional components of the Project include the conversion of roughly 300 linear feet of open ditch to a pipeline and the installation of a flow splitter structure in the CO & CP Pierson Ditch that will allow flows to be routed into the Ryden No. 1 ditch. Minor work is planned at the Ryden No. 1 Ditch diversion structure for protection. Project design drawings are attached to this letter. AQUATIC RESOURCES AT PROJECT SITE Methods WWE delineated aquatic resources at the Project location on October 10 and 11, 2023 as well as May 20, 2024. Wetlands were delineated using the methodology provided by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (Manual) and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Regional Supplement). Aquatic resources were located and mapped using a sub-meter accurate global positioning system (GPS). Wetland determination data points were located within and outside unique wetland areas. These data are available upon your request or for inclusion in future submittals to your office (either Approved Jurisdictional Determination [AJD] requests or Preconstruction Notification [PCN]). Non-wetland water ordinary high water marks (OHWM) were mapped using A Guide to the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) Delineation for Non-Perennial Streams in the Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coat Region of the United States (OHWM Manual) and USACE Regulatory Guidance Letter No. 05-05 titled Ordinary High Water Mark Identification (RGL 05-05). Regarding the jurisdictional status of delineated aquatic, WWE considers all delineated aquatic resources as waters of the United States until USACE has issued an AJD for those features. Because the Project includes components that are either exempt from CWA 404 permitting requirements or which are authorized under a USACE General Permit without notification, it does USACE Northwestern Colorado Regulatory Branch June 24, 2024 Page 2 not appear necessary to obtain an AJD for the delineated aquatic resources (even though the ditches would likely be non-waters of the United States). Results The results of WWE’s aquatic resources delineation are depicted in Figure 2, which includes representative photographs. The delineated aquatic resources are summarized as follows: 1)Elk Creek: Elk Creek is a perennial tributary of the Colorado River. At the Project site, the river’s OHWM is roughly 40-feet wide. The north banks of the river are steep and lacking floodplain wetlands. The south banks of the river have localized floodplain benches which support riparian vegetation and areas of wetlands. 2)Elk Creek Floodplain Wetlands: WWE delineated floodplain wetlands that have a direct surface connection with Elk Creek and which appear to have hydrology driven by naturally high groundwater and periodic flooding. Dominant vegetation in these areas include willow (Salix spp.), redtop (Agrostis gigantea), and red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). 3)CO & CP Pierson and Ryden No. 1 Ditches: WWE delineated reaches of the CO & CP Pierson Ditch and the Ryden No.1 Ditch. Both ditches are located downgradient of the Elk Creek diversion structures, with flows conveyed to the open ditches via pipelines. When the pipelines daylight into the open ditches, the ditches are well maintained features that do not appear to have seepage related wetlands. WWE did not observe wetlands in the CO & CP Pierson Ditch—after daylighting from an existing pipe (which conveys flows from the diversion structure), the ditch runs along a well drained hillslope. The Ryden No. 1 ditch flows through wetlands that are part of the Elk Creek floodplain. PROJECT IMPACTS TO AQUATIC RESOURCES AND CWA 404 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS The Project will include the discharge of fill material within delineated aquatic resources, including Elk Creek, CO & CP Pierson Ditch, and Ryden No. 1 Ditch. Based on the Project design, delineated aquatic resources, knowledge of CWA 404 (including 404f exemptions and Regional General Permit 5 [RGP 5]) it appears that: 1)Diversion structure replacement for the CO & CP Pierson Ditch will occur within the existing structure footprint, do not appear to be subject to the Recapture Provision1, and appear to be eligible for an agricultural exemption under CWA 404(f). 1 Although the Recapture Provision application is somewhat variable between USACE offices, replacement projects which remain within the footprint of the existing structure are generally not susceptible for being recaptured as CWA 404 regulated activities. USACE Northwestern Colorado Regulatory Branch June 24, 2024 Page 3 2)A 300-foot-long reach of the CO & CP Pierson Ditch will be converted from an open ditch to a piped ditch, resulting in the loss of no more than 0.02 acre of potential waters of the United States. The affected waters consist of the ditch, an active channel, and do not include wetland areas. Because the Project will result in the loss of less than 0.1 acre of wetland and less than 1 acre of non-wetland waters, it appears that the Project is authorized under RGP 5 without PCN. Additionally, as a project funded by the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR), the Project will be subject to review as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). BoR’s NEPA review of the Project will include inventory and consultation as required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (Section 7). Based on the above, the Project’s impacts to potential waters of the United States consist of exempt activities (i.e., the replacement of the CO & CP Pierson Ditch diversion structure) and activities which are authorized under RGP 5 without PCN (i.e., the conversion of roughly 0.02 acre of the CO & CP Pierson Ditch to a pipeline). REQUEST FOR USACE INPUT WWE respectfully requests USACE’s written confirmation that the Project’s impacts to potential waters of the United States consist of exempt activities and activities that are authorized under RGP 5 without PCN. If additional information is needed, please contact me at (303) 480-1700 or ngreenberg@wrightwater.com. Sincerely, WRIGHT WATER ENGINEERS, INC. By ______________________________ Noah Greenberg, PWS Senior Water Resources Scientist Attachments: Figures 1 and 2, Select Construction Drawings cc: Scott Schreiber, P.E. (WWE), \\WWE-GWS\project files\WWE\211-020\020\Engr\404_and_ESA\USACE_Submittals_2024_February\Project_1\DRAFT_404f_Request_RydenNo1_and_CO_CP_Pierson PROJECT COORDINATOR: TROUT UNLIMITED 115 NORTH 5TH STREET GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501 ENGINEER: WRIGHT WATER ENGINEERS, INC. 818 COLORADO AVENUE SUITE 307 GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601 SURVEYOR: BOOKCLIFF SURVEY SERVICES, INC. 163 EAST 3RD STREET RIFLE, CO 81650 STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: GEI CONSULTANTS 2750 S. WADSWORTH BLVD SUITE D-200 DENVER, CO 80227 FISHERIES BIOLOGIST: GEI CONSULTANTS 2750 S. WADSWORTH BLVD SUITE D-200 DENVER, CO 80227 TELEMETRY CONSULTANT: HYDROLOGIK, LLC 10790 W. 50TH AVENUE UNIT 700 WHEAT RIDGE, CO 80033 CONTACT: RICHARD VAN GYTENBEEK 307-690-1267 CONTACT: SCOTT SCHREIBER, P.E., CFM 970-945-7755 (OFFICE) 423-943-7500 (CELL) CONTACT: WAYNE KIRKPATRICK 970-625-1330 (OFFICE) CONTACT: MARGARET PROVENCHER, P.E. 303-264-1038 (OFFICE) 970-895-7692 (CELL) CONTACT: ASHLEY FICKE, PHD 303-625-9502 (OFFICE) 970-290-4374 (CELL) CONTACT: BRUCE BACON 720-799-2828 (OFFICE) 720-480-6639 (CELL) COVER SHEET 211-020.020 ---- GN01 GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO MIDDLE COLORADO AG COLLABORATIVECOMBINE RYDEN NO. 1 AND CO & CP PIERSON DIVERSIONS(PROJECT 1) SHEET INDEX JBH/DTL JBH/DTL SDS 4/12/2024 SHOWN MEMBER UTILITIES FOR THE MARKING OF UNDERGROUND BEFORE YOU DIG, GRADE, OR EXCAVATE CALL 3-BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE CENTER OF COLORADO OR CALL UTILITY NOTIFICATION 1-800-922-1987 811CALL COLORADO NO. BY DATE COMMENTS SCALE DETAIL CHECK DESIGN Pl o t D a t e / T i m e : 0 4 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 4 , 1 2 : 5 0 : 2 4 P M ; G : \ W W E \ 2 1 1 - 0 2 0 \ 0 2 0 \ C A D \ 0 2 _ D W G S \ G N X X - C O V E R A N D N O T E S . D W G - G N 0 1 P R O J 1 C O V E R S H E E T SHEET NO. JOB NO. REVISION NO. DATE DESCRIPTIONWRIGHT WATER ENGINEERS, INC. GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81602 (970)945-7755 FAX(970)945-9210 818 COLORADO AVE. P.O. BOX 219 DRAFT NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION BID SET 4/12/2024 4/12/2024 1. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REMOVE IN-STREAM BARRIERS TO FISH PASSAGE BY UPGRADING THE DIVERSION STRUCTURE. THIS PROJECT COMPLEMENTS AND FURTHERS THE OBJECTIVES, GOALS, AND ACTIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE COLORADO WATER PLAN, AS WELL AS THE THEMES, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES RECENTLY STATED IN THE COLORADO BASIN ROUNDTABLE'S UPDATED BASIN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. 2. DIVERSION INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO MODIFICATIONS TO THE DIVERSION CREST ELEVATION, CONCRETE DIVERSION STRUCTURE, TRASH RACKS, FISH SCREEN, HEADGATES, AUTOMATION, TELEMETRY, FLOW MEASUREMENT, DITCH ENHANCEMENTS AND DITCH SPLITTER STRUCTURE. 3. FISH PASSAGE IS ENHANCED VIA MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXISTING STREAMBED AND DIVERSION DAM CREST. INSTREAM WORK IS DESIGNED TO CAUSE MINIMAL DISTURBANCE TO THE EXISTING CONDITIONS AND IS LIMITED TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DIVERSION CREST AND FORMALIZING THE OFFLINE DIVERSION CHANNEL. 4. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ASSUME SOME FIELD FITTING WILL BE REQUIRED IN COORDINATION WITH THE ENGINEER TO PROVIDE A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT. MOST FIELD FITTING WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FISH PASSAGE ELEMENTS. 5. THIS PROJECT CAN BE CONSTRUCTED INDIVIDUALLY OR BE LUMPED TOGETHER WITH THE OTHER MIDDLE COLORADO AGRICULTURE COLLABORATIVE (MCAC) PROJECTS. 6. THE PROJECT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED DURING THE NON-IRRIGATION SEASON. VICINITY MAP CONTACTS PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT LOCATION COUNTY ROAD 243 ELK CREEK NORTH 1000 2000 FT10000 MAP SOURCE: GOOGLE EARTH COMBINE RYDEN NO. 1 AND CO & CP PIERSON DIVERSIONS SHEET NUMBER SHEET TITLE GN01 COVER SHEET GN02 GENERAL NOTES OV01 OVERALL PLAN SW01 STORMWATER MANAGMENT AND REMOVAL PLAN DM01 RYDEN NO. 1 DITCH ABANDONMENT SV01 SURVEY CONTROL SHEET HZ01 DIVERSION HORIZONTAL CONTROL PLAN HZ02 DITCH HORIZONTAL CONTROL PLAN HZ03 DITCH HORIZONTAL CONTROL PLAN PP01 FISH PASSAGE PLAN & PROFILE PP02 DIVERSION AND RETURN FLOW PLAN & PROFILE PP03 CO & CP PIERSON DITCH PLAN AND PROFILE PP04 CO & CP PIERSON DITCH PLAN AND PROFILE PP05 CO & CP PIERSON DITCH PLAN AND PROFILE PP06 RYDEN NO. 1 DITCH PLAN AND PROFILE XS01 SECTIONS XS02 SECTIONS TS01 TYPICAL SECTIONS TS02 TYPICAL SECTIONS TE01 OVERALL TELEMETRY PLAN DT01 PROJECT PERSPECTIVE DETAILS DT02 TYPICAL DETAILS DT03 TYPICAL DETAILS DT04 TYPICAL DETAILS DT05 TYPICAL DETAILS DT06 TYPICAL DETAILS DT07 TYPICAL DETAILS DT05 SWMP DETAILS DT06 SWMP DETAILS DT07 SWMP DETAILS S-02 STRUCTURAL DETAILS 1 S-03 STRUCTURAL DETAILS 2 S-04 WALL SECTION S-09 CONCRETE DETAILS S-10 TRASH RACK DETAILS S-11 TRASH RACK DETAILS LOCATION MAP NORTH 5000 10000 FT50000 MAP SOURCE: GOOGLE EARTH NEW CASTLE 1-70 1-70 PROJECT LOCATION CR 2 4 5 CR 2 4 3 CR 2 4 1 w w w w w w w w FLO W FLOW ELK C R E E K 5945 594 0 59 3 5 593 0 592 5 59 2 5 593 0 5 9 3 5 593 0 593 5 594 5 595 0 5940 593 5 59 3 0 59 3 0 5930 5 9 3 0 DEBRIS DEFLECTOR BOULDERS CO & CP PIERSON FISH PASSAGE, SEE SHEET PP01 CO & CP PIERSON DIVERSION CHANNEL, SEE SHEET PP02 CO & CP PIERSON SEDIMENT SLUICE, SEE SHEET PP02 OFFLINE DIVERSION CHANNEL TO HEADGATE STREAM SUBSTRATE (D50 = 18") BOULDERS CONCRETE WALL CONCRETE DIVERSION STRUCTURE EXISTING DITCH PIPE TO BE REMOVED AND BACKFILLED 30" HDPE PIPE REMOVABLE TRASH RACK AND FISH SCREEN STRUCTURE ACCESS AREA EXISTING TREE TO BE REMOVED REVEGETATION: WILLOW STAKES REVEGETATION: WILLOW STAKES REVEGETATION: UPLAND SEEDAPPROXIMATE LOCATION OF SPOT TREATMENT BOULDERS, SEE SHEET DT01 CONTRACTOR TO GRADE SMOOTH ACCESS AREA FOR MAINTENANCE 593 5 59 3 0 2+24 1+ 0 0 2+ 0 0 2+77 1+0 0 2+ 0 0 1+501+00 APPROXIMATE FUTURE MAINTENANCE ACCESS EXISTING TREES TO BE PROTECTED IN PLACE REVEGETATION: UPLAND SEED ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ELK C R E E K D EXISTING RYDEN NO. 1 DIVERSION HEADGATE AND PIPE TO REMAIN AND BE PROTECTED IN PLACE WITH BOULDERS, SEE SHEET DM01 CO & CP PIERSON DITCH (LOCATION OF COMBINED DIVERSION POINT) EXISTING DITCH PIPE TO BE REMOVED AND BACKFILLED 30" HDPE PIPE CONCRETE FLOW SPLITTER STRUCTURE CONNECT TO EXISTING DITCH CONNECT TO EXISTING DITCH 24-INCH PARSHALL FLUME PROPOSED 24-INCH PARSHALL FLUME 24-INCH PARSHALL FLUME REVEGETATION: UPLAND SEED 30" HDPE PIPE CO & CP PIERSON PROPOSED DITCH CENTERLINE, SEE SHEETS PP03 - PP05 RYDEN NO. 1 PROPOSED DITCH CENTERLINE, SEE SHEET PP06 3+9 8 1+00 2+0 0 3+00 7+ 7 2 1+00 2+00 3+00 4+0 0 5+0 0 6+00 7+ 0 0 APPROXIMATE FUTURE MAINTENANCE ACCESS BACKFILL AND REVEGETATE EXISTING DITCH JBH/DTL JBH/DTL SDS 4/12/2024 SHOWN MEMBER UTILITIES FOR THE MARKING OF UNDERGROUND BEFORE YOU DIG, GRADE, OR EXCAVATE CALL 3-BUSINESS DAYS IN ADVANCE CENTER OF COLORADO OR CALL UTILITY NOTIFICATION 1-800-922-1987 811CALL COLORADO NO. BY DATE COMMENTS SCALE DETAIL CHECK DESIGN Pl o t D a t e / T i m e : 0 4 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 4 , 1 2 : 5 4 : 5 3 P M ; G : \ W W E \ 2 1 1 - 0 2 0 \ 0 2 0 \ C A D \ 0 2 _ D W G S \ O V X X - P R O J E C T O V E R A L L P L A N S . D W G - O V 0 1 - P R O J 1 O V E R A L L SHEET NO. JOB NO. REVISION NO. DATE DESCRIPTIONWRIGHT WATER ENGINEERS, INC. GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81602 (970)945-7755 FAX(970)945-9210 818 COLORADO AVE. P.O. BOX 219 DRAFT NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION BID SET 4/12/2024 4/12/2024 NORTH 10 10 20 FT0 DETAILED PLAN OVERALL PLAN 211-020.020 ---- OV01 NORTH 40 80 FT400 OVERALL PLAN COMBINE RYDEN NO. 1 AND CO & CP PIERSON DIVERSIONS