BENTONITE SEALING INVESTIGATIONS, August 1,1960

(1)

Third Quarterly Progress Report

of

BENTONITE SEALING INVESTIGATIONS

For the Period

of

August 1, 1960 to November 1, 1960

by

R. D. Dirmeyer, Jr.

Prepared for the

Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District

and the

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Colorado State University Experiment Station

Engineering Research

November 1960

(2)

INTRODUCTION

This report contains several condensed but detailed tabulations of

information, which at this early stage in the resource-evaluation and

application-research-and-development work are of a

.:teotati ye

j

ncoropJ ete

..o,atur!:l· Widespread interest in the work and numerous inquiries for

information make it desirable to present a fairly detailed summary of

work at this time. Common questions include:

1. Procedure--what are the best procedures for canal or reservoir

sealing work with local clays?

2. Quality--what are the specifications for a clay, satisfactory

for sealing purposes?

3. Results--what results have been produced in the field trials

with local clays?

As a partial answer to the above questions, consider the information

compiled by the early efforts of the bentonite (or clay) sealing project

at CSU, in cooperation with many irrigation organizations, individuals,

and clay producers.

SAMPLING AND EVALUATION OF SAMPLES

Tables I and II summarize the results of the initial sampling and

laboratory testing of bentonites or clays from locations as shown on

Map

I. In the laboratory evaluation work, samples of clays are being tested that

have been collected both (a) by CSU project people, and (b) by interested

individuals or prospectors. We are especially encouraging the latter

type of sampling and will be glad to furnish additional details of what

to look for to any interested parties. An Extension Service circular,

Testing Bentonite for Sealing Purposes (No. 205-A), is available at most

County Agent office's°in Colorado (and in Wyoming as ,1ell--Circular

_

No. 161).

The test procedures used in the laboratory evaluation work have involved

existing procedures to the maximum extent possible, but in order to

fully characterize and evaluate the clays or bentonites from a canal

and reservoir sealing standpoint, the development of new test procedures,

including major modification of existing procedures, has been necessary.

A brief description of the test procedures used in the evaluations to

date is included at the bottom of Table I. More complete details of the

test procedures can be obtained, if desired, by writing to us.

~entative in a sense that the work is in its beginning stages--having

been fully funded starti

us

IuJ~

1 ₁

1960

(3)

Testing with procedures, in addition to those outlined in Table I,

is planned and will be completed as time permits.

EVALUATION OF FIELD TRIALS

Table III summarizes briefly the results of the evaluations, to date,

of field trials at locations as shoun on Map 2.

While the table is essentially self-explanatory, it is very brief

(perhaps even fragmentary). Detailed records are being compiled on

each of the jobs included in the table. Thus, if additional information

relating to any particular trial is desired, or if you have additional

information to supply for any trial, please write us.

Additional evaluations are planned, both for the trials in the present

table and for new trials or other trials not included in this summary.

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

AND

FUTURE PLANS

As mentioned in the two preceding q_uarterly reports, the objectives of

- - -

-Ble

-

C

-

SU

entoni-te-pro-jec

re

-

(a

-:t:a:::tny~tpry:t:tre::

cl~y:J:eGuUrt:e

or-C.Olorado,, and (b) to dev:ela:o methods

of

utilizin~ the

JacaJ cJ~ in

sealing canals and reservoirs in Colorado. Thus, the two important

justifications for this State-funded work relate to (a) develo~ment of

new mineral industry, and (b) cQDmat;;,,.<;ID

of

w:at~r.

Thus, while the

market potential aspects are not involved directly in many research

studies, they are definitely involved in this inventory, research and

development project -- organization of the bentonite project work

clearly reflects this influence.

Clay inventory--with the valuable assistance of many cooperators

(individuals, companies, districts),the initial sampling efforts by the

CSU project have revealed a good range of available clay (bentonite?)

deposits (See Map I). A~ a result of this, we are convinced (a) that

a sign1fica~ p.Qiential of cla_y deposits is available for development

in Colorado, and

(;--r

that the initial sampli~forts~

-

outlined in

this report have covered only a small fraction of the total potential.

Because of the magnitude of the clay resource inventory work remaining

to be completed, plans a.re being made for continuing this work by the

CSU Geology Department in the next fiscal year--provided funding is

available. The field work is planned for

.

the summer and the clay

mineral identification (including X-ray and D-T analyses) for the

winter. Chemical testing of the better clay samples by the CSU Soils

Department is also planned.

(4)

-TABLE I: SUMMARY OF TEST RESULTS (PART I )

FROM INITIAL LABORATORY EVALUATIONS OF COLORADO CIAY SAMPLES

Sample _No. Name and Colloidal Yield Grit Content Fil

'i~t::

; est FiStalter Cake bilitv Mixabili tv Index SJell Index (;)

Location

0 -

45 -

Over Over Under Over

4si 6

s

r

6 s

,.

10'• 10-S%

s~

0-

10 1

0-SO

so Poor Fair Good

0 -2

S 2

S-

50 50

-

7<

7'

-

100 0

-

50 S0

-

100

100 -

150

Over

150 S28-1

Fox_N.-Dilley_of_{Canon City}--

39.5

8 .

8

5 .

1

x

77 .5

97.8 S28-2

Fox-Dilley- -

39 .

6

7.9

4.8

x

34.9 88.o

N. of Canon City

531-1

Wyble--

₅₇

_·

₇

1.8

8 .

6

x

32 .

8

108.0

N. of Wellington

53lA-3

Wyble--

36 .

2

3 .

0

5 .

3

x

32 .

5

78.0

Near Creede

533-1

Monroe--

73.3

3 .

1 Hl!,.o

x

82.7

143 .o

N. of Ft. Collins

533-2

Monroe--

78.2

2.0

9.9

x

47 .1

162.8

N. of Ft, Collins

536-4

Schrader--

52 .3

1. 7

26 .

7

x

47.0

132 .

0

N • of Ft , Morgan

536-5

Schrader--

57 .6

5 .

5

44.

3

x

77 .

9

99.0

N. of Ft. Morgan

12 .

&

537-2

Strain land- -

56 .

2

15 .

5

x

12.3

30.0

N. of Golden

41.4 537-5

Marshall- -

50 .

0

1.8

23 .

7

x

68 .

7

50 .

0

N. of Golden Sh2-l Rump--

@v

~

1.5

x

14 .

7

170.5

e,1 of Grand Junction

543-1

Burton-Tuttle--

36 .

0

7 .

0 17 .1

x

46 .

9

55 .

o

W. of Aspen

Sl14-4

Butterfield--

66.1

1.8

1.2

x

8 .

5

253 .

o

S. of Las Animas

545 .

1

Wagner--

55 .

6

7 .

9

10 .

3

x

38.2

130.0

Near Las Animas

12.:t

547 -

1

Moss--

24.3 4o.1

x

78.0

25.0

Near Westcliffe

35 .

8

548 -

1

Mwr.ma--

30.6

11.1 2.41 4 .3

x

&;}

.

7

110 .

0

·,1. of Salida

549-3

Lam.berg--

35 .

6

6 .

7

2.6

x

77 .

7

90 .

0

SE of Salida

552-1

',Tarren--

67.

7

3.7

172 .

0

x

36.4 6o.o

N. of Ft. Collins

s52-18

i-Jarren--

56.8

2.2

162 .

2

x

98.9 75,0

N, of Ft. Collins

553-1

White Rose- -

47 .

5

0 .

9

129.3

x

30.0

Near Carr

554-1

Brick Plant--

35.5 o

.

8 45 ,9

x

21 .4

30.0 s.

of Ft. Collins

555-1

Clover Basin--

29 .

9 o

.8

52 .

0

x

19.4 46.o

SW of Longmont

556-1

Cox--

26.4

5.4 31. 7

x

13.2

10.0

NE of Merri son

s6o

-

4

Welte--

37.3 3 .5

97.0

x

62 .

1

30 .

0

N. of Colorado Springs

562-1

Wisenhunt--

52 .4

2,1

12 .

3

x

12 .

6 4o.o

Near Castle Rock

562-2

Wisenhunt--

43 .

1

5.2

10.4

x

10 .

9

20 ,0

Near Castle Rock

563 -

1

Last Chance--

41.9

1.

7 19,7

x

24 .

3 57 .8

sw· of Akron

564-1

Harvey--

44 .4

18 .

8

304 .

0

x

38.1 4o.o

w.

of Canon City

f:67

-

2

Bennett--

49 .

5

0.2

6 .

8

x

16 .

8 4o

.

o

N. of Golden

568-1

Lindsey--

33 .4

2.8

5 .

7

x

66 .7

30.0

N. of Golden

S/1-1

High..,ay 63--

34.3

16.4

42 .

5

x

25.7

25.0

N. of Akron

S/2

-

1

Peach Valley--

6o.8

7.3

15.1

x

46.1

132

E. of Delta

573 -

2

Mahan--

31.7

3.2

32 .

5

x

82 .

4

50.0

Near (? ) Pueblo

S/4

-

1

Schrader--

36.2

1.1

112 .

3

x

32.7

70.0

and

2

N. of Ft. Morgan

000 -

5

iJyoming bentoni te

86 .

8

2.8

0.9

x

627 J.,,,i

th extra \.l'ashing Compiled by R. W, Hansen and C. C. $rni th

Supplemental Procedure Notes Sample Prepa.ration--All samples are registered for identification,

oven-dried at 1oooc, and a test portion crushed to pass a U.S. No. 8

sieve .

.,.;'colloidal Yield--is the percent of sample that vill remain sus

-pended or dispersed in water after

24

hours. A high yield normally means a high clay content, and usually a high sealing potential.

Grit Content--is the percent of sample left on a U.S. No. 200 seive after"w.shing, A low ;percenty;e

pf

g ~ is desired for most sealing applications,

Filter Loss--is the loss* in ml,/min vhen 400 ml. of a ~ mixture of benton1tein water is placed in a pressure cell, subjected to an air pressure (equal to 341 _{of vate}_r₎_,_{and filte}_r_{ed through a standard}

filter pa.per, A low rate of loss is desired.

Filter ~ Stabili ty--is obtained by subjecting the clay coating left on the

filter paper from the Filter Loss test to a sme.11 jet of water, This gives an

approximate idea of theresista'nce to erosion of the clay sediment,

Mixability ~ - -is obtained by dividing the weight of sample lost (after a standard washing test) by the original veight. A high index indicates easy mixing.

Swell Index--is obtained by measuring the increase in volume vhen a dry sample ofknovn bulk volume is saturated or completely vetted. Some swell is desirable but not too much.

*For comparison note that a:

-3-1/8-inch layer of

-

4o

ottava sand had a seepage rate equal to 1440 ml./min

1/8-inch layer of local sandy soil had a seepage rate equal to 1003 m.1../min

(5)

..

TABLE II1 : SUMMARY OF

TEST

RESULTS (PART II)

FROM INITIAL LABORATORY EVALUATIONS OF COLORADO CLAY SAMPLES

Srunple Na.me and ... p1.e ~mne ana.

No

.

Location Colloidal Yield Grit Content

No.

Location Colloidal Yield Grit Content

Under

Over

Under unuer

uver

uver Una.er

25%

2S

-

4si 45

-

6si

6s%

lei

10 -

5%

25%

25 -

45% 45

-

65%

lei

10 -

5%

514 -12

Fisher--Near

56 .

4

19 .

1

539 -2

standley Lake--Hear

39 .7

14.3

Granby Arvada

514 -2

Morris--Near

43 .o

26.5 s4o-l

Cbapnan

(

Mailed

)

--

3.3

73.7 '----

Granby Near Pl Center

516 -

1

Rump--Near

53 .8

2.7 541-1

Sm.1 th--Near

16.8

9.3

Grand Junction Fort Collins

-

516 -

2A

Upper Pond' s--Near

4o

.

7

9 .

2 844-1

R008ers--S. of

50 .

4 5. 7

Grand Junction Las Animas

-

516 -

2B

Lower Pond' s--Near

47 .

6

6 .

7

844 -

2

Rodgers--S. of

53 .

4

4.6 -

5lo

-3

Lime Kiln--Near

30 .

0

7 .

7

o.--J b"'tougu.--~. or

'I0.0

7-•

.

516 -

4

Smith (lover )--Near

33.9

9.7 844-5

School--S. o:f

47 .2

~-3

-

516 -

5

Smith (upper )--Near

65 .

3

1.1 846-1

McAlpin--Near

34.6

27.2

Grand Junction Red wing

516A

-

1

Wells

(25

-

30 )

--Near

43 .

2

5 .

6 848-2

Mumma.--W. of

18.4

21.4 _"'

Fruita Salida

4-

516A

-

2

Wells

(4 )

--

Near

26.1

8.3

849 -4

Lamberg--Near

49 .8

22.1

Fruita

Hovard

5loA

-

3

Wells \15)--Near

30 .

3

0 .

7

850 -1

Skinner--Near

7.6 3•.6

-

Fruita Golden

Sl6A-lt Wells

(25 )

--N

ear

31.9

6.1

551 -

1

Smi th--E. of

25.6

31.4

Fruita Fort Collins

....

816A

-

5

Wells (15 )--Near

39.3 8.o

852 -2

Greenacre--N, of

20.7

1.6

Fruita Fort Collins

-

516A

-

6

Wells (10)--Near

35.5

5 .9

852 -

3

Warren--N. of

18.0

7 .

0

Fruita Fort Collins

517 -

1

Foster--Near

22.7

22.8

552 -4

Warren--N. of

35.0

16.3

Duraruzo Fort Collins

519-1 Winder--Near

10 .

3 1"

.

0

552 -5

Warren--N. of le<!-~

••

6

Craig Fort Collins

-

821 -

1

Lost Canyon--Near

20.1

34.2

552 -

6

Warren--N. of

31.8

38.7

Gunnison Fort Collins

-

522 -

1

Strafford--Near (? )

25 .

7

0 .

5

852 -

7

Warren--N, of

13.6

56 .

7

Grand Junction Fort Collins

823 -

1

Schrader--Near (?)

18.5

2.6

552 -8

Warren--N. of

8.7

77.7

Fort Collins Fort Collins

824 -

1

Flora--Near (?)

32.6

6 .

6

552 -9

Warren--N. of

33 .

0

17 .

5

~ango Fort Collins

S2l1-2 Flora--Near (? )

59 -

•

0 .

7

552 -

10

Warren--N. o J-'--"

_""·0

Durango Fort Collins

825 -

1

Dilley--N. of

17.8

8 .

9

552 -

11

Warren--N. of

63.2

15.6

Canon City Fort Collins

825 -

2

Dilley--N. of

30.0

5 .

0

552 -

12

Warren--N. of

6o

.

1

8 .

3

526 -

1

Brown--S. of

81.8

3 .

2

552 -

13

Warren--N. of

48 .

3

7 .4

Las Animas Fort Collins

-

-1321-

-.:fohrrson---=Near-

-~

8 .

8 -

-=

very high- -

--

,..-

s52

-

1c4

r,,larren----N

of

32.0

8 .

6

Nathrop Fort Collins

820 -

3"

Fox-Dilley--N.

37 .

0

9 .

1

552 -

15

Warren--N. of

9.0

46 .

9

of Canon City Fort Collins

828 -

4

Fox-Dilley--N. of

49.3

2.0

852 -1

6

Warren--N, of

55.4

9.7

828 -

5

Fox-Dilley--N.

of

30.2

5 .

8

552 -

17

Warren--N. of

51.6

9 .

3

828 -

6

Fox-Dilley--N.

of

43 .8

6 .

o

853 -

2

Lone Tree Creek--

36.0

8 .

7

Canon City Near Carr

529 -

1

Pachek--Near

24 .

7

1.8

557 -

1

Robinson--Near

10 .

8

22 .

4

Salida ,Payton

530 -

1

Hopkins--Near

24 .

9

39 .

3,

858 -

1

Robinson--Near c.t·~

25 .

1

Center Calhan

531 -

2

Wyble (Ash?)-- Flocculated

8 .

2

558 -2

Robinson--Near

35.8

25.3

Calhan

S32

-

l

Davidson--N. of

34 .

3

8.7

559 -

1

Wands--Near

11.3

61.2

Canon City Pueblo

S34

-

l

Kessler (Red )--Near

26.1 o.r

559 -

2

Wands--Near

27 .

6

27.0

Howard

o

.

a3

Pueblo

534 -

2

Kessler (Pink )--Near

22.9 s6o

-

l

Welte--N. of

26 .

3

9.4

Ho~ro.rd Colorado Springs

534 -

3

Kessler lWhiteJ--

20.2 20.4J

Sb0-2

Welte--N. of

33.2

5.0

Near Howard Colorado Springs

53l~-h Kessler (Green)--

14 .2

51.43 s6o

-

3

Welte--N. of

31.3

6 .

5

Near Hovard

2 -

~

Colorado Springs

531•

-

5

Kessler (Hailed)--

27.7

861 -

1

Harris--Near

21.3

30.3

Near Howard Castle Rock

S3l1

-

6

Kessler

(

Mailed)

--

22 .

5

1.43

864 -

2

Harvey--Near

28.7

18 .

0

Near Howard Parkdale

535 -

1

Embry--Near (?)

7 .

0

49 .

9

864 -

3

Harvey--Near

23 .

9

8 .

4

Pueblo Parkdale

536 -

1

Schrader { Pm,:nee)

•0.9

2.0

865 -

1

Harris--Near

26 .

6

10 .

9

N. of Ft . Morgan Kiowa

536 -

2

Schrader (Pa·..mee)

43 .

7

2 .

6

866 -

1

Pallaoro--Near

24 .

2

41.1

536 -

3

N. of Ft. Morgan

Schrader (Pmmee)

54.5

2.5 ₅₆₇

_-

₁

_BennettsMorrison _--N._of

6 .

4

82 .

1

N. of Ft . Morgan Golden

537 -

1

Rocky Flats--N. of

15 .

7

49.7

869 -

1

Harris--Near

9 .

3

65.4

Golden Laporte

537-3

Plainview--N. of

15.0

5.6

870 -

1

Yahn--Near

9 .2

43.

4

Golden Ilif.f

537 -

•

Rocky Flats--N,

of

2~.6

12.5

570 -

2

Yahn--Near

14.0

25.0

Golden Iliff

538 -

1

Norton--Near

62 .

2

0 .

2

570 -

3

Yahn--Near

10 .

6

57.9

La.Porte Iliff

538 -

2

Norton--Near

46.7

1.4

870 -

4

Bauer--Near

28 .

9

12 .

7

La.Porte Iliff

539 -

1

standley Lake--Near

25.4

17.8

873 -

1

Bauer--Near

12.9 6s.,

Arvada Ilif'f

1

Compiled by R. D, Dirmeyer, Jr., and C,

c.

fhlth See Table I for remaining test results in this same series.

2

Samples Sl4--l through S27-l tested prior to July 196o--S2B-3 to S?3-l tested after July 196o

3

Required extra washing.

(6)

-4-I

\J1

I

!

H

I

s

~

ij

!

~

0 s

@

I

Cf)

W

Y

O M

I

: ) I

~-I

,-

1--1-~-~

I

IMONTEZUM

I

· '~!LA:~-~

~t

@t

N E W

oc

1

1 _{avorabl11 hi9h}_{in Colloidal Yield} _{( - ' \ Unfavorably}_{low in Colloidal}_/?tt_d

_E

<t:

nd low in Grit Content

,--7

_{,_}

and high in Grit Content

'6

N G

JULESBURG

- -~--r

_ ---- ---r-

~

SE'WicK

:

4 L---

I

X I C

o

Number of sampl,s

~

L

oborafor11 samplB number

feshld ~ -I

o

::<'.'.

( HOLYOKE~ <{ STERLING

I

PH

IL LI

PS

Cf)

l_______

<t:

- - - , -

I

oc

-

*

I

CXl

/S7l'i

I

y

U M ~

UJ

....-W

AKRON

I

,....

z

o

I

*

S« Toble/-oll~~ Se< 7itb/e/I Cf)

<!

Mil•& 0 ~ 2 0 ~

(7)

No. t l T2 T} T4 T5

T6

T7 T8

119 lrio

lrll lrl2

11'13

lrl• lrl5 ln6

rrn

ln8 1!'19 T20 1'21 T22 1'23 T2l1 T25 T26 1!'27 1!'28

11'29

1!'30

-

IJ'31 1!'32 1!'33 T}• T}5 T}6 T}7 T}8

TABLE III

SUMMARY OF PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM FIELD TRIALS WITH COLORADO CLAYS

Job Title Capacity WP1 Bed Bef'ore3 Install. Date Method of' Application

Location Grade L2 Material Losses Amt. o.f Bent. and Costs Results Climax Canal No, l 100-20 cfs 9 ft Rocky

.

NE of Clirr.ax mediurn s700 ft 91 ton (S-49)

Wellington Lake Canal 40-10 cfs 13 ft Decomposed 20'1,-June July 196o Multiple dam - dump truck backed Apparently very good - evaluation SE of Bailey medium 3000 ft p;ranite (measured) ,6 ton (S-49) up ditch -15 dams - $17.50/ton to be made in sprinp;

Cottonwood Creek 6o cfs-July 22 f t Cobbles (est.) 15'1, July 196o

30-40-30

ton de.ms in upper part Bentoni te dispersed and carried

Buena Vista steen 16,0CX) ft and sand 100 ton ( S-49) of creek -mix/ crawler tractor thru ·,.rel! - (est.)

5 ,-

loss no.J ·

Kelly Ditcher; 2-8 cfs 4 ft Rocky (est.)25 June 196o 12-multiple dams placed and Good - (est.) )-lOP loss after

~. of Buena Vista steep n,ooo ft 28 ton ( S-49) mixed/ crawler tractor treatment - follo·J up in sprlnp; Saylor Seep Ditch 2 cfs 4 ft Rocky l ~ Aug. Sep. 196o 5-multiple dams--near upper Good, Sept. 1 1/4 cfs out of 1/3 cfs

~-of Buena Vista Eteen 4000 ft 24 ton ( S-49) end placed and mix/front loader no-.. getting thru to end 0f ditch T-win Silos Ditch 4 c.fs 3 ft Rocky (est.) 95'1, June 196o 4-multiple ;iams--upper half 1 l Good, (est.) los::; 5-10;; after

,,•. of Buena Vi:.;to. steep 8ooo ft 26 ton (S-49) load at head ,:,,:ate, $9/ton treatment

Tegler Ditch 10 cfs 4 ft Rocky (est.) 20'{, Apr. 196o Material placed in dams over Good, (est.) 5~ lo::;s after treat-·.1. of Buena Vista steen 4000 ft 4 ton (S-49) un""°r half o:f ditch 1 $9 / ton ment

Ir.,,.in Ditch 10 cfs 4 ft Rocky (est.) 20'!, Apr. 196o Material placed in dams over Good, (est.) 0-5;, loss after

,; . of Buena Vista steen

5000

ft 6 ton (S-49) unTV>r half of ditch, $9/ton treatment

Lee Di version Ditch 4 cfs 3 ft Rocky (est.) 50~ Apr. 196o Bentonite sluiced in at 4 Good, {est.) l ~ loss after treat-,! • of Buena Vista steen 3000 ft 25 ton ( S-49) DOints over U"'""°r half ment

Esgar Ditch 2 cfs 3 ft Rocky- (est.) l.Q~ June 196o Ma.Jori ty sluiced into flo.., at Good, 10-15,.. loss (est.) after Buena Vista medium 26oo ft 12:ravel 4 ton (S-49) unner end or unner hal!' treatment

Dry Creek Di version 2 cfs 2 ft Rocky l()(l'p July 1960 Bentoni te dumped into flo·.,, at Fair,

Bo

;,

loss after treatment, SW of Buena Vista very steep 8ooo ft 20 ton ( S-49) at UTITJPr end, -$9/ton ad.di tional bentoni tinp; planned Pioneer Ditch 9 cfs 4 ft Rocky (est.) 40';, May 196o Sluiced in at upper end and dams Good, (est.) 5-10,. loss after

s

~,1

of Nathrop steep l~OOO ft 42 ton ( S-119) near mid-noint of ditch treatment

Branch of Post Ditch 5 cfs 8 ft Rocky (est.) 30~ June 1960 10-multiple dams, dispersion {Est.) 5-lOP loss after treatment, N"W of Salida medium BOO ft 5 ton (S-49) DOnded 'Ji th rock dams, $9/ton seen areas dried up belo,1 ditch Missouri Park Ditch 70-10 cfs 10 ft Rocky- 100-°t loss Aug. 1959 27 multiple dams, upper 1-1/2 Excellent installation, 1-1/2 cfs

N'.I of Salida n:edium 34,000 ft gravel of 10 cfs 20, ton ( S-49) r.tlles received 100 tons, $7/ton 'Jill carrv thru 7 l':lile stretch Sunnyside Ditch ho-15 cfs 10 ft Gravel- 5-10 cfs Apr. 196o 30 ton in multiple dams,

4o

ton (Est.) stopped 751• of total N. of Salida medium ,ooo ft so..ndv (est.) 69 ton ( S-49) sluiced-hec.d end !t9/ton seenaae loss

Pass Creek Di version

6

cfs 4 ft Loose-rock 4 cfs in 1948 Placed near head end, added ._.here 14,J loss of 4 cfs over 4 mlles

~

.J. of Poncha SpriAAS medium 21,000 ft shale 1/2 mile 24 ton ( S-49) concentration decreases (measured)

John Boyce Pond 1/2 AF

-

Loose-sand (est.) 50s 1957 Distributed and spread manually Practically no seepage loss after Maysville

-

gravel in 12 hrs 1/4 ton ( S-49) 'Ji th shovel treatment

Everett Stock Pond Stock'.later

-

Peat- 100, 1959 Spread manually ·,'1th shovel Bentoni ting developed enough ·.1ater N. of Salida oond

-

12:ravel l ton (S-49) for 50 head of cattle

O'Brien Diversion Ditch 9 cfs 6 ft Rocky-sand 4 cfs in Nov. 1959 35 multiple damsJ 81 ton, 55 Good results, 1 cfs out of 4 cfs rf,i of Crestone steep 19,000 ft p,:ravel 3/4 mile B6 ton (S-49) ton, head end $12/ton •Jill carry 3-1/2 miles nov Shellabarger Ditch No. 1 10 cfs 6 ft Gravelly- (est.) 30/1 1959-196o Multiple dams placed upper Good results, 5-la;. las!: a!'ter

hIB-'

61"-Xof!'at" steep

n,CX)()

n:

!<and 50-ton-f6-49) nart or diteh (eat-.) :t1"2/ton

--

treatment

Coors Farm Lateral 8 cfs 7 ft Gravel (est.) l(}p July 1959

6

multiple dams and part sluiced Good (est. )3-4~ loss after

treat-:rre

of Center 4 ft/mi 3000 ft sand

.

(S-49) in at head end I:lent

Coors Farm Lateral 7 cfs 7 ft Gravel Similar to Aug. 1959 8 multiple dams; V-d.itcher run Good, extensive seep areas along NE of Center 4 ft/mi 1300 ft sand '1'21 site 16 ton (S-49) thru several times to mix, rmread ditch bank -dried UP

Arthur Benson Ditch 3 cfs Ji ft Cobbles (est.) 50,, Aug. 196o Multiple dams, greatest amount Very good, (est.) 5-10:, loss NE of Del Norte O?ditun 1500 ft n ton (S-49) near hi12:h loss area., $1l1.50/ton at'tcr treatment

She·.1al ter Pond 6-1/2 AF

- -

Shaley- (est.) 50; 1959-196o 2 lbs per sq ft, leveled vi th Mo.Jori ty of seepage loss stopped S. of Poncha Pu~s

-

Rravel ner dav 117 ton (S-49) tractor and blade, $9/ton

Sangrc De Cris to Pond 1/2 AF

- -

Sandy- 100,-:0 in Oct. 1959 Spread, leveled manually compe.c- Fair, 100~ los::; in aprroxir.ietely Mosca

-

loam 24 hrs 18 ton ( S-49) ted, rubber tire roller, $14. 75/ton 1-month

f'angre De Cristo Pond 1/3 AF

-

Sandy- 100", in Nov. 1959 Spread and leveled manually, no Poor, 10Q'ji loss in approx. 2-vks. Hooper

- -

-

loom 10 hrs lS ton (S-49) comroction re-treatment planned/compaction Purlin-Quartz Ditch 32 cfs 9 ft Sandy

_*

Oct. 1959 8 multiple dnms, additional Seepage areas belo.1 ditch dried N. of Parlin r.iedium 3000 ft 37 ton ( S-h9) r.tlx.iru:c vi th cra·.1ler tractor up or reduced

Garden Park Ditch 9 cfs 4 ft Rocky- (est.) 30, May 1960 Majority of material dumped in Good, (est.) 5-10-,-loss after, seep N. of Canvon Ci tv steep 4000 ft sandv 32 ton (S-28) near head of ditch areas dried UP below ditch Nelson-Culifer Ditch 2 cfo 3 ft Rocky- (est.) 50,, May 196o Multiple dar.ls, mix r.ia.nually Good, {est.) 5-10,-:. lose after N. of Can.van City medium 13000 ft sandy 16 ton ( s-28) vi th shove lG treatr:1ent

Fountain Mutual Ditch 5 cfs 4 ft Sandy (est.) 20,, July 196o Bcntonite added .1ith front loader Material dicperzcd into vater NE of Faun tai n medium 6500 ft ± 20 ton (s-28) tractor near head end of ditch readily--after losses not avail. Redlands 2nd Lift Ditch 13 cfs 11 ft Sandy- 17P for Mar. 196o Material distributed 1/2" thick Fair, seepage reduced initially, U. of Grand Junction flat 26oo ft clav svstcm 40 ton (S-42) ·,11th truck and chute set-up some sce"'-""e bea:innin2 rum.in Ea~t Mrca. Ditch 28 cfs 15 ft Rocky (est.) 3 cf, Arr. 196o Spread on bottom and bank, back- Good, extensive seepage area belo· S. of Carbondale medium 500 ft 6o ton ( S-42) hoe mulched

6 -

8",

compacted elevated section dried up Goodman storage Pond 8 AF

-

Rocky- 2 .ft drop Apr. 196(1 Spread on bottom vi th tractor Loss reduced to 4-inch drop in SE of Ha.,ard

-

- -

gravel in 24 hrs 16o ton (S-34) and blade 24 hrs

Adamson Storage Pond 5 AF

-

Cobbles- New pond Apr. 196o Spread on bottom 'Ji th tractor Loss reduced to L-inch drop in SE of Howard

- -

-

rockv

8o

ton ( S-34) and blade 24 hrs

:lest Burlington Ext-Canal 40-10 cfs 12 ft Sandy 35-70';, Sept. 196o 40 ton, head end;

6

ton below

.

S' . ./ of Hudson flat 50 000 ft 52 ton ( S-37) mid-nnint· 6 ton near end

Smith Fa.rm Pond 8 AF

_-

Clay- 1 .ft drop Oct. 196o Spread -..1th front loader tractor, Installation not complete* E. of Fort Collins

- -

sand in 24 hrs 120 ton ( S-" ) ma.nua,, v on bottom and sides + 1/2"

Brace Pond No. 1 10 AF

-

Gravelly

.

Jan. 196o Material leveled ,,..i th land leveler Fair water surface drops approxi-N',/ of Center

-

120 ton (S-40) mulched -..rt. th renovator -re leveled ma.tel.v 1 ft in 10 days

Brace Pond No. 2 12 AF

- -

Rocky

.

Jan. 1957 Material leveled W'i th land leveler Fair, ·.1ater surface drops approxi-Jf.1 of Center

- -

300 ton (S-40) mulched ,nth renovator releveled matelv, 1 ft in 10 davs

Compiled by M. M. Skinner *Information not available at date o:f compilation

WPl (average vetted perimeter) x L2 (length of treated section) x A (application -ror bentonite

=

total amount of bentoni te required. 3r.osses considered over length (L)

(8)

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(9)

Photo 1--Potential clay deposit

( s.-52) north of Fort Collins,

Colorado. Badland topography

with little or no vegetation

cover, typical of better

ben-tonite outcrops.

Photo 2--Developed clay deposit (S-49) near Howard, Colorado.

Clay

deposit has been stripped of overburden so that air-drying of clay can

take place. In-place moisture content of clay or bentonite deposits

has ranged as high as 50 percent; by air-drying in the pit this can

be reduced to 15 to 30 percent.

(10)

-8-Photo 4--The bentonite

can be shovelled into

the water as the dam

is washed out, but in

some cases, as above,

a small bulldozer has

been used.

-9-Photo 3--Most common method of

application consists of placing

dams of bentonite in

dry

canal,

then running in small head of

water and washing bentonite down

canal.

Photo 5--Several high loss

natural channels have also

been sealed by washing

ben-tonite downstream with the

water.

(11)

_

(

Photo 6--In several instances, the dams

of bentonite have been spaced along a

canal and then spread with a V-ditcher

rather than with water.

Photo 7--Bentonite has been used for

sealing small ponds or reservoirs. It

is spread in a layer 1/2 to

-

2-inches

thick over the pond area, worked into

the sub-soil, and compacted, if possible~

Photo 8--In the evaluations carried out

by the bentonite project,

inflow-outflow measurements have been obtained

when possible.

(12)

-10-Laboratory evaluations--In addition to the laboratory identification work

mentioned above, the clay samples are also being tested to determine

their sealing potential ( See Tables I and II). While general agreement

has been notea between the laboratory test results and the field trial

results (See Table III), some descrepancies have been found.

Excellent

materials from a lab test angle have produced poor sealing results in

field trials. Conversely, clay materials rated poor in the laboratory

have produced excellent field trial results. Undoubtedly, part of the

problem is related to the need for better test procedures; thus, new

and modified procedures are being developed. The genera~ objective

of the work is to develop simple economical lab test procedures that

can be used for clay specification purposes. However, it is also

obvious that the correlation problem between lab and field also

ref-lects a need for improved field trial procedures.

Procedure development trials--As may be seen in Table III and Map

II,

the field trial phase of the procedure development work is well advanced

for a relatively few clays in several restricted areas of the State.

For example, consider the canal {multiple-dam) and reservoir (blanketing)

work with the

849 clay in the area surrounding Salida. As time and funds

become available, work in ne,;.r areas of the State will be initiated.

However, since the trial work is

f

unded and organized at local level,

it is important to realize that the presence or absence of trials in

any particular area

o

f the State depends largely on the local interest

in initiating such work---from the standpoint of either or both (a) the

owners of canals, and (b) the producer

s

8f clays. Past project

expe-rience indicates that finding contractors or irrigation districts

will-ing to invest their will-ingenuity and funds in field trials is not normally

a problem; nevertheless, the local intere

s

t is necessary before the

trial work will materj

_

alize. For a general idea of the installation

procedures utilized in developwent work to date,

see

Photos 1 through

8. Detailed procedm·e write- ups are :planned and will be prepared

when the results and evaluations for any particular method warrant such

publications.

Several publications, subject to change as additional

evaluations are completed

.

, are available new upon request.

Quality of clay--Another important part of the development work is

con-cerned with the clay itself. Producing a suitably uniform clay product

of acceptable quality for sealing purposes is a tougher problem than

commonly appreciated. While it is true that the sealing quality and

consequently also the reputation of good local clays have been damaged

by careless mining and production methods, in fairness to the clay

pro-ducers, it should be pointed out

t

hat they are faced with several

impor-tant unresolved problems

.

For example, many clay deposits are extremely

variable--in quality, in thickness, and in lateral extent. Perhaps the

most pressj

.

ng problem, however

;

is the Rbsence, at present, of suitable

specifications for canal and reservoir sealing clays. Of the various

problems, the specification problem is probably the most important:

removing that problem would remove the major uncertainty of the present

(13)