Colorado Draining Reservoir Amid Major Water Shortage
Summary
Colorado water officials are draining Antero Reservoir to move water downstream to another reservoir during a severe drought. This step is meant to save water that would otherwise evaporate and ensure supply for about 1.5 million people served by Denver Water.Key Facts
- Denver Water is draining Antero Reservoir in Park County, Colorado, due to one of the driest years on record.
- The water will be transferred to Cheesman Reservoir to reduce evaporation losses.
- Officials expect to save about 5,000 acre-feet of water, which is around 25% of Antero’s total capacity.
- Snowpack is very low this year, so lost water from evaporation will not be replaced by snowmelt as usual.
- Antero Reservoir was built to serve as a drought reserve, used in severe dry conditions.
- Recreation activities like fishing and boating at Antero will be closed until the end of 2026.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife will help relocate fish before water levels drop.
- The reservoir was drained before during the 2002 drought and nearly drained in 2013 before late snowstorms improved conditions.
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