Project Name: Bear Creek Lake Reallocation Feasibility Study

Location: Lakewood, CO

Authority: Water Supply Act of 1958 & Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1998

Sponsor: The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)

Current Phase: Feasibility Study with an integrated Environmental Impact Statement

This study will investigate the feasibility of reallocating Bear Creek reservoir storage for water supply, considering flood protection; safety; environmental, recreational, and economic impacts; and impacts to other resources from additional storage.  The study intends to address water supply and demand gaps. The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), who is the non-federal sponsor, has recently completed a statewide water supply and demand study as part of the Colorado Water Plan. This study looked at various scenarios to forecast possible gaps between supply and demand by the year 2050. The South Platte Basin is projected to have an annual supply and demand gap that ranges from about 509,000 acre-feet per year up to 835,000 acre-feet per year.

The current reservoir provides a unique opportunity to potentially store more water for a reasonable cost.  An initial study conducted by the Corps in 2015 showed there may be potential for additional water to be stored at Bear Creek Lake without impacting its flood control purpose. This study will contain a detailed analysis that will further investigate not only impacts to flood control, but also the environmental and recreational impacts from additional storage.  An Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze any major federal action that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comments throughout the study process.

Please mail or email all public comments to:

US Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CENWO-PM-AC
1616 Capitol Ave
Omaha, NE 68102
Bear-Creek-Study@usace.army.mil

The first public Scoping Meeting for the Bear Creek Lake Reallocation Feasibility Study was held virtually on October 14,2021.  Future meetings will be held at dates yet to be determined.

Please go to the CWCB website to access the latest information, updates, view public meeting materials, and to access the ledger of comments received so far in the study process.

https://cwcb.colorado.gov/bearcreeklake

Thank you for your interest in this project.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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