This year’s low water levels have created challenges across Colorado, but at Green Mountain Reservoir, the reduced snowpack is providing an opportunity to complete needed spillway repairs ahead of schedule and at a lower cost.
Work on the spillway began this summer and will continue through the fall as crews from Northern Water and contractor Dietzler Construction repair and replace the approach apron on the dam’s spillway. Originally completed in 1943, the spillway apron is constructed with materials that are now more than 80 years ago.
The Bureau of Reclamation had planned to complete the repairs in 2028-29. However, this year’s low water levels provided an opportunity to get the work done now without having to consider how work could occur with higher volumes in the reservoir.
Under an agreement under Reclamation, Northern Water agreed to take on the operations and maintenance of that portion of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project during construction. In so doing, when combined with completion of the work during low water levels, the work will cost considerably less than the federal agency’s budget. Northern Water and Reclamation will each contribute approximately $625,000, for a total project cost of about $1.25 million.
Dietzler Construction Corp. is expected to complete the project in the coming months.
