Denver Water Transfers Water from Antero Reservoir Amid Drought Conditions
Denver Water is relocating approximately 5,000 acre-feet of water from Antero Reservoir to Cheesman Reservoir due to severe drought. This action will result in the closure of Antero Reservoir for recreational use throughout 2026.

In response to drought conditions, Denver Water will transfer 5,000 acre-feet of water from Antero Reservoir to Cheesman Reservoir. This transfer aims to minimize evaporation losses, as Antero has the highest evaporation-to-storage ratio among the utility's reservoirs.
Recreational access to Antero Reservoir will cease for the remainder of 2026 following the relocation of fish, although public use will be permitted briefly before the closure. The reservoir's refill will depend on drought conditions, with previous drainage events for water management occurring in 2002 and 2015. The utility is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to mitigate fish losses during this operation.




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