Culvert Inspection Report CO FTNP ROMO 407

CULVERT INSPECTION REPORT

HOLZWARTH CULVERT

HOLZWARTH ACCESS ROAD OVER COLORADO RIVER

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

LOOKING WEST

STRUCTURE NO. 1520-029S

INSPECTION TYPE: ROUTINE

INSPECTION DATE: 10/1/2024

Report prepared by:
Federal Highway Administration

SOUTH (DOWNSTREAM) SIDE

FLH Office of Bridges and Structures
Bridge Inspection Program
22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Building E2, Suite 200
Ashburn, VA 20147
https://bridge.flhd.fhwa.dot.gov

STRUCTURE NO.

INSPECTION DATE:

STRUCTURE SUMMARY

HOLZWARTH CULVERT

1520-029S
10/01/2024

CULVERT IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION

STRUCT. TOTAL LENGTH: 38.7 FT (11.8 M)

YEAR RECONSTRUCTED:

LOCATION

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

FEATURE INTERSECTED: COLORADO RIVER

INSPECTION TEAM:

MILE POINT: .. .00 (KM PT 0)

south of Timber Creek Campground.
Beyond locked gate.

D. Christensen, B. Dietrick, P. Sharifi

CONDITION ASSESSMENT:

Bill Dietrick

REPORT REVIEW:

Marcus Miller

REPORT APPROVAL:

Date: 01/30/2025

Jorgomai Ceesay

STRUCTURE EVALUATION SUMMARY

This six-barrel corrugated metal pipe culvert is in poor structural condition. Inspection findings include delaminating, spalling, and cracking of the headwalls; spalling and undermining of concrete at the bottom of both the upstream and downstream divider walls between barrels; severe corroding of the barrel inverts, with rust holes present; missing sections of barrel inverts, and torn and uplifted inverts at the upstream end of the barrels due to high flow impacts and corrosion; widespread barrel distortions resulting from invert section loss; undermining of barrels at the downstream end; and minor debris accumulation at the upstream divider walls and inside several barrels. In addition, previous inspection teams observed water piping around most of the barrels, particularly during highwater events.
In view of the poor condition of the culvert inverts and the loss of soil support due to undermining, there are concerns about the long-term stability of the structure, particularly during highwater events. A local informed the inspection team that the structure was overtopped in the spring of 2022. The upstream channel has poor alignment and is migrating to the east. Given the high cost of repairs and the evident lack of capacity of the barrels for high flow conditions, it is recommended that the structure be replaced in the near future.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ESTIMATED COSTS STRUCTURE NO.

1520-029S

HOLZWARTH CULVERT

10/01/2024

INSPECTION DATE :

B

PRIORITY OF IMPROVEMENT

A (Critical) - Structure is closed, in immediate damage of collapse, or presents a critical safety danger.