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Empire Reservoir is impounded by an earthen embankment along the north and east sides of the <br />reservoir. Several sections of the embankment are fortified with concrete facing, including the <br />east side due to wave action and the northwest section around the outlet works. The reservoir <br />does not have a spillway, although the District is currently in discussions with the state regarding <br />spillway designs. The outlet works of the reservoir consist of three 36" concrete conduits <br />capable of releasing 400 cfs. <br />Capacity: <br />Total Storage: 34,483 acre-feet <br />There is a current storage restriction at elevation 4519.0 (31,859.6 acre-feet <br />capacity) due to the absence of a spillway. <br />Active Storage: 34,483 acre-feet <br />Dead Storage: none <br />Area/Capacity Data: The area and capacity values shown in Table 1 were derived by <br />photogrammetric processes using aerial negatives from November 2002. <br />Table 1 <br />Empire Reservoir Elevation-Area-Capacity <br />Elevation <br />(ft) Area <br />(acres) Cumulative Capacity <br />(ac-ft) <br />4490 0 0 <br />4495 0.1 0.1 <br />4500 361.8 433.9 <br />4505 1196.5 4091.5 <br />4510 1842.6 11,792.7 <br />4515 2280.5 22,097.6 <br />4520 2683.7 34,483.0 <br />Enlargement History: Empire Reservoir has never been enlarged. <br />Reservoir Seepage/Evaporation Information: No studies have been conducted to quantify <br />seepage losses from Empire Reservoir although large seepage losses are reported. <br />Reservoir seepage generally accrues to Bijou Canal and to the South Platte River. Any <br />seepage water collected in the canal is used on System lands served by the canal. <br />Reservoir Storage Measurement: Storage levels in Empire Reservoir are measured using a <br />staff gage. The District operates the reservoir such that diversions into storage are <br />measured at a point just upstream of the reservoir. The dam supervisor for the reservoir <br />is responsible for collecting and reporting the end-of--month storage amount to the Water <br />Commissioner in Water District 1. <br />HydroBase Data: Historical end-of--month storage contents available in HydroBase for the <br />period of 1950 to 1998, although the records are not complete. The available storage <br />records are presented in Figure 3. The Company may provide paper records of storage <br />contents for missing periods within the study period, although no records were received <br />at the time of this documentation. <br />Bijou Irrigation System 7 of 13 <br />