OMAHA, NE - The release at Chatfield Dam will be increased today from 2,500 cubic feet per second to 3,000 cfs. Releases remain unchanged at Cherry Creek Dam at 100 cfs and at Bear Creek Dam at 500 cfs until next week. Following the release change at Chatfield Dam, the combined releases from the Tri-Lakes Dams will be 3,600 cfs.
Forecasts indicate inflows into Chatfield Reservoir will remain high due to mountain snowmelt runoff for the next week, which would result in a continued pool rise at Chatfield Reservoir. The current pool elevation at Chatfield Reservoir exceeded the 1980 record of 5447.6 feet this morning. In accordance with standard dam safety protocols, personnel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers perform increased surveillance of conditions at the dam. The dam is performing as designed with no issues or concerns.
The increased releases from Chatfield Dam are performed in coordination with State of Colorado and are aimed at more quickly evacuating stored flood water.
Unless there is heavy rainfall runoff, the combined releases from the Tri-Lakes Dams will remain at 3,600 cfs through the end of June and will be ramped down in early July, while the Tri-Lakes Reservoirs flood storage will be evacuated by the middle of July. The current conditions at the Tri-Lakes Dams are indicated below:
Bear Creek |
5594.4 ft |
25.6 |
425 cfs |
Cherry Creek |
5555.3 ft |
6.1 |
110 cfs |
*Previous pool elevation record at Chatfield Dam was 5447.6 ft in 1980.
The three Denver-area dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District are referred to as the Tri-Lakes Projects are Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and Bear Creek Dams. The Tri-Lakes Dams are managed as a system to capture runoff and make releases to mitigate flooding risks in the Denver area.
The Omaha District routinely conducts inspections and monitors all three projects as a part of its Dam Safety Program. Surveillance frequencies are increased during periods of higher pools. All three projects are performing satisfactorily with no significant dam safety issues resulting from the recent rains and snowmelt runoff.
Pool elevation graphs for the Tri-Lakes Dams can be found online at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/DamandLakeProjects/TriLakesProjects.aspx
Pool elevation data for these and other USACE-operated dams, updated hourly, can be tracked online at: http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/plots/plots.html#omaha_plots.
Public safety is a priority and the public is urged to rely on local emergency management officials for guidance regarding the flood response.