FROM THE ARCHIVES: One of C-BT's Greatest Challenges

Thirty years ago this month, the Colorado-Big Thompson Project faced one of its greatest challenges when a rare mechanical failure caused the pump at Flatiron Hydropower Plant to explode, halting water deliveries to Carter Lake. 

On Dec. 13, 1995, Unit 3 at the Flatiron plant caused the unit to explode. Unlike units Nos. 1 and 2, which solely generate electricity, Unit 3 has a dual role: generating electricity and pumping water up to Carter Lake, about 200 feet higher than the pump plant’s location east of the ridge.  

The resulting loss of water delivery service to Carter Lake caused the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Northern Water to explore options to provide redundancy. Crews repaired the damaged unit and later built a bypass pipeline to allow gravity-fed water from Pinewood Reservoir to go directly into Carter Lake. That bypass pipeline has not been needed since. 

Today, the construction of Chimney Hollow Reservoir provides a permanent solution. Through its complex valve house, water can now be delivered from Pinewood or Chimney Hollow reservoirs directly to Cater Lake, increasing the redundancy of water delivery if Unit 3 is ever out of commission.