News

Photo of Mike Fiscus, Northern Water.

Employee Spotlight: Mike Fiscus

With his pending retirement at the end of November, Mike Fiscus said his recent work at Chimney Hollow Reservoir has been the largest and most important project of his career.

Upper Colorado River.

Colorado River Water Rights

The ability to capture water when it is available and store it for dry periods has been a hallmark of water projects for millennia, and Chimney Hollow Reservoir joins in that tradition.

Excavator exacvating the main dam foundation.

Main Dam Foundation Excavation Complete

Over 600,000 cubic yards of rock was drilled, blasted and removed from the main dam foundation to make sure that Chimney Hollow Main Dam sits on solid ground.

WALO asphalt batch plant.

On-Site Asphalt Batch Plant Releases Steam Throughout Day

The steam may look like smoke or dust but is instead the steam produced from the asphalt plant.

Asphalt Core Underway at Chimney Hollow Reservoir

Chimney Hollow Reservoir construction crews hand-placed the first section of asphalt on the main dam on Oct. 15, 2022.

Wye delivery to Bald Mountain.

Colorado-Big Thompson Project Tie-In Started at the Bald Mountain Interconnect

One of the most time-sensitive aspects of the Chimney Hollow Reservoir Project is currently in progress – the Bald Mountain Interconnect.

Northern Water operations crew on site to learn about current happenings on site.

Northern Water Operations and Maintenance Crews See Reservoir Come to Life Through Chimney Hollow University

After construction is complete, the “key” to Chimney Hollow Reservoir will be passed from Barnard Construction to Northern Water operations and maintenance (O&M) staff.

Looking east at the Chimney Hollow construction with the Flatiron Penstocks in the foreground.

How Will Water Get into Chimney Hollow Reservoir and Delivered to Participants?

Chimney Hollow's location adjacent to C-BT Project infrastructure will enable water to easily be moved in and out of the reservoir per an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Jeremy Deuto presenting about Chimney Hollow at local elementary school.

Project Outreach Reaches Elementary and Graduate Level Students

Due to Chimney Hollow Reservoir’s remote location, public outreach and education are key components of the project’s success.