A long-stalled breakwater project at the McPhee boat ramp may finally get off ground.
A 400-foot breakwater has been built at a cost of $260,000, but it has been sitting on the shore for two years as the county struggles with design problems and installation.
Several design issues have been or will be corrected, reported county planner James Dietrich at Monday's county commission meeting. And negotiations are underway with the fabricator to float the massive structure onto the lake and anchor it to the bottom.
"We're making progress on installation, and are working on extending the length as well," Dietrich said.
The design has changed. The unit is made up of large tires, flotation devices, metal platforms, cables and winches. The breakwater can be adjusted up and down based on lake elevation, but it will no longer move laterally to adjust to the changing shoreline as previous plans showed.
That feature was scrapped because it was revealed that at lower water, cables would be above water and be a hazard to boat navigation. As a result, the breakwater will be stationary so during high water it will be further from shore, diminishing its effect somewhat.
The county learned that there are enough 10-foot tires, around 40, to double the length of the breakwater to nearly 800 feet. However, additional platforms and cables would need to be added.
"That was always the Phase 2 plan for later, but now it seems practical to do it now," Dietrich said.
The breakwater has so far cost $260,000, according to the county. A grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife paid for $158,384, and the county picked up the rest of the tab.
The breakwater will be positioned in a V-shape and is designed to reduce wave action, thereby creating calmer waters for the boat ramp and a future marina.
The unit was designed by Blue Water Designs, out of San Pedro CA. It was build by Circle Zebra, out of Mancos, who is negotiating with the county to add the additional 400 feet and install the unit.
Installing a breakwater is a public safety need, and is part of a larger plan to increase visitation to McPhee, Colorado's second largest body of water. The forest service will soon be accepting proposals for a marina at the McPhee boat ramp. The prospectus calls for a floating marina with a fuel station, public deck, boat moorings, and a store or restaurant. The last marina burned down in 2000 and the breakwater was destroyed.
Once in place, the breakwater will be maintained and operated by the forest service.
"We'd always planned to get the breakwater in first, then the marina bid," said District Ranger Derek Padilla. "At the request of the county, we made the developing the marina prospectus a priority."
So far two operators have shown interest. Stan Folsom operated a marina at Vallecito, and has relocated to Dolores to operate a boat rental business. Also Rocky Mountain Recreation is interested in the marina. The company operates campgrounds for the U.S. Forest Service.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com