Denver Water draining, closing Antero Reservoir for drought savings
5 hours ago
- #drought
- #water-conservation
- #reservoir-management
- Denver Water will drain and close Antero Reservoir in South Park to prevent evaporation losses due to severe drought.
- The reservoir's closure, affecting fishing and camping, is the first since the 2002 drought, aiming to save 5,000 acre-feet of water.
- This year's snowpack is the lowest in recorded history, preventing normal runoff from replenishing the reservoir.
- Denver Water plans to relocate fish and allow some public access before complete drainage, with no recreation allowed in 2026.
- Consolidating water into Cheesman Reservoir helps reduce reliance on water diverted from west of the Continental Divide.