Colorado Drought Forces Denver Water To Drain Key Reservoir

By Nicole C. Brambila | The Denver Gazette

HARTSEL • The Antero Reservoir isn’t empty yet. But it will be in about six weeks.

Facing historically low runoff from this year’s drought-stricken snowpack, Denver Water expects to drain Antero Reservoir within the next six weeks to reduce evaporation losses and preserve water supplies.

On May 1, Denver Water began releasing water from the reservoir, which is located 110 miles southwest of Denver. The move is expected to save roughly 5,000 acre-feet. That accounts for about a quarter of the reservoir’s capacity.

An acre-foot of water is enough to cover an acre of land with one foot of water — or 325,853.3 gallons. That’s more than four times the amount of water used annually by a typical four-person household in Denver, which uses about 70,000 gallons a year.

“Given the severe drought conditions we really need every single drop,” Nathan Elder, manager of water supply with Denver Water, said.

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