OMAHA, NE – Rainfall and mountain snowmelt runoff this past week have resulted in elevated flows along the South Platte River and its tributaries.
With increased water flowing into Chatfield Reservoir, water managers with the Omaha District, in conjunction with the state of Colorado, are increasing releases from Chatfield Dam and reducing releases from Cherry Creek Dam to keep overall system releases steady. All Tri-Lakes releases will continue to be adjusted based on reservoir and hydrologic conditions.
The three Denver-area dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District and 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.
Chatfield Reservoir currently has 5.3 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows above 2100 cfs and the release at 2050 cfs. Bear Creek Reservoir currently has 31.1 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows around 670 cfs and a release of 500 cfs. Cherry Creek Reservoir has 1.7 percent of its flood pool occupied with inflows around 100 cfs and a release of 100 cfs. Chatfield and Bear Creek Reservoirs are currently rising and Cherry Creek Reservoir is slowly dropping.
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.
Since the beginning of May, Cherry Creek and Chatfield Lakes rose about 3 feet and 8 feet, respectively, due to the higher inflows. Cherry Creek evacuation of flood storage will continue over the next week. Chatfield could remain in the flood pool for the next several weeks as the snowmelt runoff continues. Bear Creek Lake, located on Bear Creek on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood, Colo., has risen over 40 feet since May 1 due to heavy rain and snowmelt runoff. The reservoir is expected to stay in the flood pool for the next month as snowmelt runoff and rainfall continue.
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 Corps-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.