News Release Archive

Pinewood Reservoir Water Elevation to Drop

Media Contact: Kara Lamb, (970) 962-4326, klamb@usbr.gov
Tyler Johnson, tjohnson@usbr.gov

For Release: September 28, 2010

Visitors to and residents around Pinewood Reservoir will notice the reservoir elevation begin to decline this week. Water elevations are expected to remain low into the middle of November.

The reservoir is being drawn to dead storage to facilitate maintenance work on a section of the Bald Mountain Pressure Tunnel, a water pipeline attached to Pinewood. Pinewood Reservoir and its connecting infrastructure are part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, a water diversion and delivery system serving water users across northeastern Colorado.

In order to draw the reservoir low enough to dewater the pipe, Reclamation may have to make some small releases through Rattlesnake Dam at the north end of Pinewood. Water released from the dam runs into Cottonwood Creek. Cottonwood Creek connects to Chimney Hollow Creek just downstream of Flatiron Dam along County Road 18E. Residents below Rattlesnake and Flatiron dams may notice a slight water flow increase in both creeks.

For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact Kara Lamb at Reclamation's Eastern Colorado Area Office at (970) 962-4326 or klamb@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Eastern Colorado Area Office Home Page