History

NISP Milestones

An endeavor the size and scope of the Northern Integrated Supply Project takes years of planning, preparation, studies and analysis. NISP demonstrates how people and the environment can both benefit when projects are done properly. This timeline highlights some of the important dates and milestones the project has experienced thus far.

Events Timeline
Water flowing in wetland areas surrounded by mountains.
1980

Grey Mountain water rights are filed on by Cache la Poudre Water Users Association and Northern Water.

Water running down the Poudre River with green trees on each side.
1986

The Poudre River is designated as Colorado’s first “wild and scenic river,” with the lower eight miles in the canyon left undesignated and open for a future water storage project.

Water flowing down a river with rocks and trees along edges.
1988

Northern Water pursues what had been known as the Poudre Project which would have built a large on-channel reservoir named Grey Mountain Reservoir.

Events Timeline
Water running in a river with minimal trees along the edge.
1992

Northern Water files on water rights for South Platte Water Conservation Project, which will result in building Galeton Reservoir for exchanges with ditch companies.

Events Timeline
People on a stage talking to a large group of people.
2004

Formal Environmental Impact Statement permitting process begins with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers serving as the lead federal agency.

Partial cover image of the NISP EIS document.
2008

Draft Environmental Impact Statement is released and a public comment period begins.

Events Timeline
Cover of the Supplemental Draft EIS for NISP.
June 2015

Release of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement bringing in the common technical platform for Cache la Poudre River data.

Cover of a report of the NISP Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan.
September 2017

NISP's State Fish and Wildlife Mitigation and Enhancement Plan is approved by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

Cover of the final NISP EIS document.
July 2018

Officials from the Army Corps of Engineers release the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Water rolling over an embankment within a river.
March 2019

The Watson Lake Fish Bypass opens enabling free fish movement around the diversion structure near Watson Lake that shifts water from the Poudre River.

Events Timeline
Men sampling water quality samples.
January 2020

The Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issues NISP the Colorado 401 Water Quality Certification.

Aerial image of Glade Reservoir showing the hills and valleys.
Sept. 2, 2020

The Northern Integrated Supply Project achieves an important milestone with the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners approving the 1041 Land Use Permit application.

People standing for a photo documenting the signing of an official paper.
Dec. 9, 2022

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues a federal Clean Water Act Section 404 Record of Decision for the Northern Integrated Supply Project. This is a major milestone for NISP, as it reflects the lead federal regulatory agency’s review and approval of the project. The Corps’ approval was based on a lengthy and rigorous scientific analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act and a host of other environmental laws, including the federal Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, State Water Quality compliance certification, and State Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan requirements.

Aerial image of Eastman Park project in Windsor showing a boardwalk over the wetlands, play areas and more.
September 2024

In partnership with the Northern Integrated Supply Project, the Town of Windsor develops a new 25-acre park called the Eastman Park River Experience, of which 9 acres of land are dedicated to wetland mitigation along the Poudre River.

Rendering of Glade Reservoir showing the south dam and pump plant.
February 2025

Northern Water and Save the Poudre settle litigation surrounding the federal permit for NISP.

Orange and white windsock flying over some grassland with a highway below in the valley.
May 2026

Nine participants emerge to push the project to contracting and construction.