Gross Reservoir Expansion Project
Environmental Review Process
As a federally permitted project, the purpose, need and environmental impacts of the project have been vetted through almost a decade of research. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2014 that details project mitigation measures and addresses public comment received after publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Like many water supply projects, there are a number of permits at the federal, state and local level that are needed before construction can begin:
401 Certification
- Also a component of the Clean Water Act of 1972, 401 Certification is a process handled at the state level. In the case of the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for evaluating the impacts of and ensuring water quality associated with this project.
- Secured: June 2016
Record of Decision and 404 Permit
- A major responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is administering the permitting program under Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, also known as the Clean Water Act. Permit review and authorization is a thoughtful and lengthy process that encourages avoidance of impacts, followed by minimizing impacts and, finally, requiring mitigation for unavoidable impacts to the aquatic environment.
- 404 Permit
- Secured: July 2017
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydropower License Amendment
- The Gross Reservoir Dam includes a 7.6 mW hydropower unit, which is licensed for operation by FERC. Under the Federal Power Act, FERC has exclusive authority to license non-federal hydropower projects. The amendment of license process requires that FERC address both the economics and engineering issues and the potential environmental and socioeconomic effects of project development and operation.
- Denver Water expects to receive the License Amendment in 2020.
Latest News / Blog
Notice of utility locate survey work on Gross Dam Road
Beginning May 25, Lamb-Star Engineering, LLC, through a subcontract with Stantec and Denver Water, as part of Stantec’s work on roadway design for safety improvements of Gross Dam Road will be completing utility location surveys along Gross Dam Road. This work will...
Boating opens May 22 at Gross Reservoir; plan for possible crowds
Gross Reservoir opens for boating Friday, May 22, and recreation managers want visitors to be aware of the potential for crowds, slow traffic, lower water levels and parking challenges. The reservoir, southwest of Boulder, is popular with kayakers and others using...
Notice of on-site closure of Gross Dam Road
COAL CREEK CANYON — April 24, 2020 — Access to trails, viewpoints and shorelines on the south side of Gross Reservoir will be closed on weekdays between Monday, April 27, and Friday, May 8, for watershed protection activities in coordination with the Colorado State...
Statement on USFWS determination related to green lineage cutthroat trout
The determination from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service doesn’t change Denver Water’s commitment to protecting the environment as we move forward with this critical project. Denver Water has agreed to more than 60 mitigation and enhancement projects on both side of...