OMAHA, NE - Bear Creek reservoir near Lakewood, Colorado, will be lowered twice from the current lake level of 5,558.7 feet to about 5,557.5 feet to allow for valve replacement work at Bear Creek Dam.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District will begin the first lowering today and the second lowering will begin late next week.
To lower the reservoir, releases will be increased to 70 cubic feet per second (cfs) which fall within channel capacity and are significantly less than the maximum 2015 summer release of 500 cfs. It will take less than one day for the reservoir to refill to the normal lake level of 5,558 feet.
This work is being conducted in response to damage documented following recent flooding. Beginning Friday, March 11, normal operations will resume. Bear Creek Lake will be closed to all ice activities due to fluctuating lake levels.
The valve replacement work has been coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the State of Colorado and the City of Lakewood.
Release no. 20160224-001