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Forecast to return Tri-Lakes Dams to normal pool levels

Published June 17, 2015
A round of storms Sept. 14, 2013, impacted the Cherry Creek basin causing pool elevations at Cherry Creek reservoir to enter the flood control pool. Cherry Creek peaked at a pool elevation of 5553.4 ft on Sept. 25, more than 12 feet below the record pool of 5565.8 feet in 1973. Major transportation routes and a large population, which makes up the Denver metropolitan area are located downstream from Cherry Creek Dam.

A round of storms Sept. 14, 2013, impacted the Cherry Creek basin causing pool elevations at Cherry Creek reservoir to enter the flood control pool. Cherry Creek peaked at a pool elevation of 5553.4 ft on Sept. 25, more than 12 feet below the record pool of 5565.8 feet in 1973. Major transportation routes and a large population, which makes up the Denver metropolitan area are located downstream from Cherry Creek Dam.

Cherry Creek Dam and Reservoir Project near Aurora, Colo.

Cherry Creek Dam and Reservoir Project near Aurora, Colo.

Chatfield Lake lies on the South Platte River at its confluence with Plum Creek, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 25 miles southwest of downtown Denver. The lake is 2 miles long and has an average depth of 47 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 3,018 square miles. The 1,479-surface-acre lake has a storage capacity of 27,046 acre-feet.

Chatfield Lake lies on the South Platte River at its confluence with Plum Creek, near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains about 25 miles southwest of downtown Denver. The lake is 2 miles long and has an average depth of 47 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 3,018 square miles. The 1,479-surface-acre lake has a storage capacity of 27,046 acre-feet.

Chatfield Dam was the second of three dams built to reduce flooding risks in the Denver area. Located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, construction of the dam was begun in 1967 and was completed in 1975. The dam measures approximately 13,136 feet in length with a maximum height of 147 feet from the streambed to the top of the dam.

Chatfield Dam was the second of three dams built to reduce flooding risks in the Denver area. Located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, construction of the dam was begun in 1967 and was completed in 1975. The dam measures approximately 13,136 feet in length with a maximum height of 147 feet from the streambed to the top of the dam.

Bear Creek Dam is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek, construction of the dam was authorized in 1968 and was completed in 1982. Bear Creek Lake is less than 1 mile long and has an average depth of 48 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 236 square miles.

Bear Creek Dam is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek, construction of the dam was authorized in 1968 and was completed in 1982. Bear Creek Lake is less than 1 mile long and has an average depth of 48 feet. The lake drains an area of approximately 236 square miles.

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:

  Pool Levels Percent Flood Pool Inflows
Bear Creek 5594.4 ft 25.6 425 cfs
Cherry Creek 5555.3 ft 6.1 110 cfs
Chatfield *5447.9 ft 13.9 3,300 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.



Contact
Kathryn Seefus
kathryn.j.seefus@usace.army.mil
or
Eileen Williamson
402-995-2417
eileen.l.williamson@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20150617-001