Antero Reservoir to be drained due to drought

[Sheltowee]

Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/04/...r-closure-drought/?share=nsetw4ilrsop0vsstt2o

 

[Bigjay73]

Came here to post this. Wonder where they will put the fish? Can't imagine they can transfer that many to Spinney.

 

[Sheltowee]

Came here to post this. Wonder where they will put the fish? Can't imagine they can transfer that many to Spinney.

Gigging season for Kokanee? CPW issued an emergency fish salvage order when COS drained South Catamount a couple of years ago. No size, bag or possession limits, up to 4 rods per angler and pretty sure live bait was permitted.

 

[ccc23454]

They are taking 1/3 of whats remaining in flaming gorge i heard, lots of people worried if big Lakers and kokanee will even survive. Unfortunately this is going to be trend with no winter

 

[elkduds]

AI Overview




Antero Reservoir was closed and drained in 2002 due to severe drought conditions and remained closed for five years, officially reopening to recreation in 2007. The reservoir, which went completely dry during this period, was managed by Denver Water to maximize water efficiency during the drought.

 

[Bigjay73]

AI Overview




Antero Reservoir was closed and drained in 2002 due to severe drought conditions and remained closed for five years, officially reopening to recreation in 2007. The reservoir, which went completely dry during this period, was managed by Denver Water to maximize water efficiency during the drought.

I didn't read this particular article, but it's amazing how much water a shallow lake loses through evaporation. I completely understand why they are transferring the water to Cheesman.

 

[elkduds]

I didn't read this particular article, but it's amazing how much water a shallow lake loses through evaporation. I completely understand why they are transferring the water to Cheesman.

Another article mentioned this reservoir shuffle strategy may reduce some demand on Colorado River water the east slope diverts from the west slope. In the west, whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting.

 

[Sheltowee]

Emergency fish salvage operation under way through May 13: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/042120...ldlife-approves-fish-salvage-antero-reservoir

 

[winmag]

What were the stats they mentioned? It would save 5000 acre feet of water, which is the annual consumption of 15,000 houses? That is minuscule compared to the population of Denver. That hardly seems worth the trade off of destroying a fishery and its related recreation for 5-10 years.

 

[Bigjay73]

What were the stats they mentioned? It would save 5000 acre feet of water, which is the annual consumption of 15,000 houses? That is minuscule compared to the population of Denver. That hardly seems worth the trade off of destroying a fishery and its related recreation for 5-10 years.

I feel your sentiment, but in reality, reservoirs aren't made for recreation. As stated, Antero has been drained a few times, not great, but not the end of the world. There's 4 other lakes and a bunch of streams running through state wildlife areas nearby, plenty of fishing to be had.

 

[elkduds]

This may also involve some legal virtue signaling by Colorado, a token display of slightly reducing Colorado River water diverted under the Continental Divide to the urban eastern slope. The litigation of allocation of the Colorado River is getting western, catalyzed by almost no snowpack in most of the Colorado River drainage basin.

 

[wolfpup]

I feel your sentiment, but in reality, reservoirs aren't made for recreation. As stated, Antero has been drained a few times, not great, but not the end of the world. There's 4 other lakes and a bunch of streams running through state wildlife areas nearby, plenty of fishing to be had.

Definitely plenty of water, but I find it interesting that they can't come to an agreement to simply store the water in the closest reservoir which is Spinney. Since the City of Aurora has those water rights, they can't or won't work out an agreement. Even though Spinney also won't rise enough for recreational boating this year, they are going to pass through 2 reservoirs and 40 miles of river just because of politics. So now Antero and Spinney will be closed for boating this summer when it could very easily only be out 1 reservoir. So now Elevenmile will take the brunt of 3 lakes worth of boaters!

 

[TOGIE]

People forget that, in the world of water supply management in the west, recreation is second priority, at best.

There aren't many bodies of water in this state managed FOR recreation. I guarantee Denver Water didn't make the decision lightly, but they have to think about next year too, and on the heels of this past winter, that remains a really big question mark.

Take's a lot of work to put clean water through a tap. I have feeling most people would come to some realizations on priorities if push came to shove.

 

[belshawelk]

What were the stats they mentioned? It would save 5000 acre feet of water, which is the annual consumption of 15,000 houses? That is minuscule compared to the population of Denver. That hardly seems worth the trade off of destroying a fishery and its related recreation for 5-10 years.

Its great fishing and may not ever get the fish like there is now in our lifetime.
Draining the reservoir is only a "temp patch" the real problem is down stream like Las Vegas and others that use the water to make pretty fountains at the Bellagio. Wonder what the evaporation is in the summer at 110 degrees for months.

 

[Chama Grande]

The bellagio fountains use 30-40 acre-feet per year whereas a full Antero is burning 20,000 acre-feet just evaporation. Not even using it. This action at current levels will save 5,000 AF. Lower basin is definitely overusing, but the problem is hardly the fountain

 

[Sheltowee]

Its great fishing and may not ever get the fish like there is now in our lifetime.
Draining the reservoir is only a "temp patch" the real problem is down stream like Las Vegas and others that use the water to make pretty fountains at the Bellagio. Wonder what the evaporation is in the summer at 110 degrees for months.

Vegas draws from the Colorado River watershed. This is on the South Platte.