WSPP00139

• File Number: 8200.300.40.A
• Description: Colorado River Basin-Colorado River Basin Legislation/Law-Compacts-Colorado River Compact
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 2/1/1981
• Title: Colorado River Compact-Synopsis of Major Documents-Colorado Water-Key to Tomorrows Quality of Life
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

COAL CREEK

Location:
On Coal Creel< 1.S:!:: miles above Superior.

Sponsors:
Water and Power Resou fees Service and Coal Creek Basin
Water Users Association. Inc.

Primary Purpose of the Project

Municipal and Industrial water to serve Louisville,
lafayelle. Superior. and Erie.

Secondary Benetlls:
Recreation and Fishery.

History and Background:

The Coal Creek Basin Water and Sanitation Association
was formed after a meeting on September 5. 1968,
representing all waler users in the basin. Since its
formation. the Association has completed: a recon-
naissance report for Coal Creek Basin Water and Sanita-
tion Association in 1969. a water resources study of

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BoJ'ld" ,eraek and Coal Creek waler rights in 1971, and a
Proj~ FGrr'hulallon Study for the Coal Creek Basin which
was completed in 1974.

These reports have basically concluded.

A. ThaI a non-profit corporate enllty be 'ormed to act as
an interim instrument to direct the immediate destiny
of the water resources of the Coal Creek region. This
was done on November 4, 1974

B. That the entity should: 1) pursue federal, state and
local grants, bonds and loan funding at the lowest
pOssible interest rale for Ihe capilallunds required to
build the Coal Creek ProJect; 2) ascertain whether or
not and under what conditions the Denver Water
Department might allow the entity to utilize any excess
capacity of the Water Board's S. Boulder Diversion
Canal; 3) undertake a "feasibility level" study to
ascertain the !tnal cost associated with the proposed
Coal Creek Dam.

Due to the initial capital requirements lor the Coal Creek
Project. the State of Colorado through its Water Conserva.
lion Board indicated that fundS could not be made
available Irom that agency. SubseQuently, the Bureau of
Reclamation (now the Water and Power Resources Ser.
vice) proceeded to study the feasibility of the Coal Creek
Dam and Reservoir Project under the "Front Range Unit
Colorado - Coal Creek Study:' The Water and Power
Resources Service contemplates having a linaldraftofthe
Coal Creek Feasibility Study available in 1981 and a
construction schedule of 1985 to 1990 is projected based
on Congressional authorization of funding between now
and 1985.

Physical Facts and Figures:
Height, length and type of dam: 140 feet; 2.530 feel;
zoned earth fIll
Storage capacity (A.F.) 01 reservoir: 13,()()()j: acre feet
Shoreline and surface area: 4.5 miles - 307 acres at
5.706 feet
Average annual power generation: N/A
Population to be served: 50.000 people
Irrigated acres 10 be served: NlA
Estimated cost: Dam - S25.500.ooo:!: PrOject
S31.400,000:!:
Construction schedule: 1985 to 1990 (tentative)

Proposed Sources of Funding:

Federal appropriatiOns through specific authorization of
U.S. Congress to the Water and Power Resources Service
which would reQuire contractural agreement with local
entity lor repayment. Failing Congressional approval.
funding will be reQuested Irom the Colorado Water
Conservation Board. Farmers Home loan Administration
and the involved local communities

For Further Information Contact

Noel Hobbs: P.E.. Consulting Engineer
Rocky Mountain Consultants, Inc.
4260 East Evans, Suite 7, Denver, CO 80222
758-4532

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