Meters measure tilt of Big Thompson Canyon retaining walls

Colorado Department of Transportation workers install a tiltmeter on the U.S. 34 retaining wall in the Narrows of the Big Thompson Canyon. The device, one of seven put in after construction of the temporary road, will alert engineers if the wall starts to shift. (Colorado Department of Transportation)

A solar panel at the side of U.S. 34 in the Narrows of the Big Thompson Canyon west of Loveland powers one of the seven tiltmeters installed on the retaining wall of the temporary highway. (Colorado Department of Transportation)

Dear Buck:

On U.S. 34, in the Narrows of the Big Thompson Canyon, there are some solar-powered gizmos on posts on the railings, and one on a rock wall. What are these for?

Signed: Canyon Curious

Dear Canyon:

The gizmos are tiltmeters -- high-tech levels that were installed to let engineers know if the highway's retaining walls are starting to shift, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Ashley Mohr.

After the September flood devastated U.S. 34 in the canyon, crews were able to quickly rebuild the highway. But as nice as it looks, it's still just a temporary road, Mohr said.

So CDOT engineers installed seven of the devices in the Narrows to make sure the repairs hold.

"Our folks have done it because they want to make sure those walls are holding up through the spring runoff," Mohr said. "If that wall moves at all and begins to give way, we'll know about it."

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Meters measure tilt of Big Thompson Canyon retaining walls