The Gross Reservoir Expansion Project is a major component of Denver Water’s long-term, multi-pronged approach to ensure safe, reliable water is delivered to the 1.5 million people who live, work and play in the Denver Water service area. This project will ensure Denver Water has a resilient water system to weather the extremes of climate change.

We recognize that Gross Reservoir is a popular recreation area and over the years have talked with many visitors and recreators at Gross Reservoir. Below are the most frequently asked questions about recreation and potential changes during the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project.

Recreation FAQs

Q: When will construction activities begin? A: Denver Water is continuing final dam design, which is planned to be complete in 2021. Once final design

review and approvals, and all federal permits have been secured, work will begin onsite. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order received in July 2020, requires Denver Water begin construction within 2 years. Additional information on the project can be found at grossreservoir.org/about-the-project/

Q: Will recreation remain open during construction? A: Yes, recreation will remain open throughout construction with some changes to recreation access. To ensure

public safety, recreation amenities in certain areas, particularly near the dam and at Osprey Point, will be closed during construction. Boating access will be relocated to the North Shore peninsula.

Q: Will boating be allowed? Where will the boat ramp be during construction? A: Yes, boating will be allowed during construction. The public boat launch access will be relocated from Osprey

Point to the North Shore peninsula. Denver Water is working through the final layout and anticipates allowing recreators to drive from the North Shore parking area to the peninsula, drop off their boats near the water and then park. This will be similar to the current layout at Osprey Point.

Q: Will there still be places to fish around the reservoir?A: While access to the South Boulder Creek inlet from Osprey Point and areas around the dam will be closed

once construction begins, fishing access will remain open from the North Shore parking area, as well as from the fisherman’s parking lot which leads to South Boulder Creek below Gross Dam.

Q: Will recreation be expanded after the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project? A: At the end of construction, recreation amenities that are below the new high-water line will be relocated above

the new high-water line. Because of this relocation, some amenities will be located in different areas, but we anticipate the number of amenities to be similar to what currently exist at Gross Reservoir today.

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Winiger Ridge campingOccasional closures during construction for construction and tree removal activities.

Fisherman’s parking lot below Gross DamOpen during construction.

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North Shore parking and picnic areasOpen during construction. Public boat launch from this area once construction begins.

Dam abutment parking and picnic areasUsual access in 2020 and 2021. Closed throughout construction activities.

Osprey Point and South Boulder Creek Inlet TrailUsual access in 2020 and 2021 boating seasons. Areas will be closed before construction activities begin in 2022.

Recreation access will be limited during construction to ensure public safety. Additional closures will occur, as needed, particularly during tree removal activities. Emergency access will be maintained throughout construction to enable first responder efforts.

Anticipated Recreation Access Impacts During Construction

Q: Will Winiger Ridge campground be available during construction? How will this area change once the project is completed?

A: The Winiger Ridge camping area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and while Denver Water does not anticipate extensive closures during construction, there may be intermittent closures in that area for public safety. Portions of the existing campgrounds, located closest to the current water level, will be flooded with the increased water level. At this time, we are not aware of additional campsites planned within the Winiger Ridge area.

Q: What will the reservoir’s new volume be, and what will the surface area of the water increase to? A: The Gross Reservoir Expansion Project will raise the height of the existing dam by 131 feet. This will nearly triple

the storage capacity of Gross Reservoir. Full capacity of the expanded reservoir will be about 119,000 acre-feet, which equals approximately 58,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. With the expansion, the reservoir footprint will increase to approximately 840 acres, almost doubling the current surface area.

Q. I support the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project. What can I do to help?A. We appreciate project support from various organizations and individuals. There may be opportunities for you

to write a letter or attend in-person meetings in support of the project. If you would be willing to assist in these ways, please reach out to us at grossreservoir@denverwater.org. We would also appreciate you sharing informa-tion with your friends, family and community about this project.

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