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.
- Secured: July 2020
Latest News / Blog
Dam foundation preparation, quarrying and site preparation activities at Gross Reservoir
Dam foundation preparation, quarrying and site preparation activities involving drilling and blasting are scheduled to begin at Gross Reservoir today, April 12. Please note: Blasting will only take place during daylight hours. Drilling and blasting activities are...
Heavy equipment to travel to Gross Reservoir Expansion Project site
March 28, 2022 - Between March 28 and April 2, weather permitting, Kiewit Barnard Joint Venture will mobilize large equipment to the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project site. This activity will consist of a maximum of four caravans over the course of two nights. Each...
First steps on Gross Reservoir expansion
Feb. 27, 2022 - TAP - After 20 years of preparation, first signs of construction work emerging in vicinity of dam. After nearly two decades of planning and permitting, Denver Water’s work to expand Gross Reservoir northwest of Denver is set to kick off. Over the...
Learning By Doing 2022 Annual Report
Grand County Learning By Doing Cooperative Effort (LBD) has a goal to maintain, and where reasonably possible, restore or enhance the aquatic environment in the Fraser, Williams Fork, and Colorado River basins and their tributaries in Grand County, Colorado. See a...