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For nearly a century and half, the Cache la Poudre River has been dammed and diverted. Nearly 90% of its water is trapped behind dams or diverted out of the river for agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses. At various locations along its course and at the junction with the South Platte River, the Poudre is often dry or a dribble of its former self. Even if flowing, the river can be foul smelling in certain reaches because of poorly diluted municipal and other wastes, so much so that it is unpleasant to be around and you certainly wouldn’t want your dog to swim in it. There is even getting to be a problem with one heavy metal, selenium, and certain bacteria.
A small amount of the river’s water is unallocated. It runs freely and manages to peak every three of four years. The periodic peaking flows are essential for ensuring ecosystem health and preserving water quality.
Three large new dams have been proposed to impound this last remaining unallocated water in the river. The most potentially damaging of these is the proposed Glade Reservoir, part of the Northern Integrated Supply Project, or NISP. The NISP project was selected using a highly biased process that essentially ensured the selection of a huge -- and hugely damaging -- proposal.
The irony is that new dams may not actually be needed in our region. Northern Colorado communities, industry, and agriculture can meet their needs for water for drought protection and growth by conserving existing water resources, utilizing them at maximum efficiency, and working in close partnership with agriculture to share the wealth of water we are already using on farms. |
