The Frying Pan Arkansas Project - How It Relates to the Pueblo Dam and Reservoir
Background
Colorado has always been prone to cycles of drought and flooding. Most notably, the historic flood of 1921 which devastated Pueblo and other towns all along the Arkansas, made it apparent that something must be done to gain some control over natural water flows of the region. In 1965, another famous flooding of the Fountain Creek resulted in no lost lives, but caused millions of dollars in damage.
In 1962 Congress approved the Frying Pan Arkansas Project - a trans-mountain diversion, collection and storage system that would create a reliable water source for southeastern Colorado. Simply put, the aptly named project involves the diversion of water from the Frying Pan River to the Arkansas River Basin to serve as a supplemental water source for municipal and agricultural use during periods of low water levels or drought. The project also provides necessary flood control and recreational benefits.
The system begins in White River National Forest along the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains. Via a series of conduits and reservoirs, the water is diverted from the Frying Pan River and other smaller streams through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River. Nine counties in Colorado are served by the project: Bent, Chaffey, Crowley, El Paso, Fremont, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo. These counties make up the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Although the project allocates 51% of the water to cities and 49% to agriculture, there is a clause allowing any water not claimed by the cities, to be used for agricultural use. Currently, agriculture takes roughly 75 percent of the Frying Pan Arkansas Project water each year.
In total, there are five dams and reservoirs involved in the project. The first, located on the western slope, is Ruedi Dam and Reservoir. The next is Turquoise Lake and Sugar Loaf Dam, just east of the Continental Divide. The next two, the Mt. Elbert Forebay Dam and Reservoir, and Twin Lakes Dam and Reservoir are followed by the largest of the storage units - the Pueblo Dam and Reservoir. In addition to the five storage facilities, a total of 26.7 miles of pipeline carry the water from reservoir to reservoir.
The whole project is under the management of the Bureau of Reclamation. The Pueblo Dam and Reservoir are under the management of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
Pueblo Dam´s History
Pueblo Dam was constructed between 1970 and 1975 as part of the Frying Pan Arkansas Project. As stated above, Congress approved the project in 1962 for the purpose of supplying a consistent water supply for irrigation, municipal, domestic and industrial uses and for generating and transmitting hydroelectric power. By diverting water from the upper Frying Pan River basin on Colorado´s Western Slope and routing it through a system of conduits and tunnels underneath the Continental Divide, the Frying Pan Arkansas Project provides an average of 52,000 acre feet of water a year to southeastern Colorado. The Pueblo Dam and Reservoir, the last of the storage facilities built for the project, stores the water before it is delivered north along the Front Range and east to the plains of Colorado.
The Pueblo Dam, located six miles west of Pueblo, Colorado, is a 10,230-foot long earthen and concrete structure appropriating one of the largest reservoirs in the state. An integral part of the Frying Pan Arkansas Project, the Pueblo Reservoir is one of the few Reclamation reservoirs in Colorado constructed for flood control purposes. This means the reservoir fills to its capacity only during flood events. The Arkansas River has a long history of flooding regularly. By keeping approximately 19 vertical feet vacant, the dam helps prevent floodwater from overflowing the Arkansas River and wreaking havoc in Pueblo, among many other locations.
The area around Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks and is one of the most visited state parks in Colorado. Pueblo State Park hosts over one million visitors a year.
The Safety of Dams Program
An article shouldn't be written about dams without addressing the issue of safety.There are over 150 monitoring instruments on and around the Pueblo Dam, measuring water pressure, seepage, and movement of any portion of the dam. The equipment is inspected daily, weekly, or monthly as indicated by a prescribed schedule. Inspection and analysis of the Pueblo Dam, using current technology and safety standards also occur on a set schedule.
It should also be noted, for those who either fear flooding or drought conditions, that according to an article written in the Pueblo Chieftain on October 15, 2006, Lake Pueblo has never been completely full in winter and reaches summer capacity in only the wettest seasons. Since it began filling in 1974, it has only been at 75 percent capacity on a regular basis for the periods of 1984 -1988 and 1995 - 2000, and was recently measured at 36 percent capacity. This might bring up the question of having enough water to avoid damage in droughts. Holding available water for longer periods of time, according to the article, is a way to offset the impact of drought.
Lake Pueblo and Lake Pueblo State Park
The Frying Pan Arkansas Project is a fascinating subject, and one that's important to understand in context with the area. However, it's not all just history. The lake resulting from Pueblo Dam, Lake Pueblo, has become a favorite recreation destination in Colorado, and it's no wonder. With its 4,646 surface acre reservoir and 400 campsites, Lake Pueblo has something for everyone. The 9,600 acre Lake Pueblo State Park features two full service marinas, two boat ramps, camping with or without electric hook-up, plenty of picnic spots with tables, a beach for swimming, a Visitor's Center complete with gift shop, and of course, some of the best fishing around. When you're done with all the activities, just sit back and enjoy the scenery. Lake Pueblo State Park offers magnificent vistas, of the Greenhorn and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, the famous Pikes Peak, and the sparkling Lake Pueblo, virtually everywhere you look. Take a walk along the miles of hiking and biking trails and you'll discover the beauty of the Arkansas River below the dam. No matter what your interests, you're sure to enjoy Lake Pueblo and the Lake Pueblo State Park.
New Info!!!! Since the above was written, I've been told that little frying pans were sold to get the Frying Pan Arkansas Project going. If someone reading this has more info or the actual little frying pan, please send a picture!!!!
References and Sources for above article:
The Frying Pan - Arkansas Project www.coloradocollege.edu/Dept/EC/Faculty/Smith/Projects/arv/Frying.htm
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation website: http://www.gp.usbr.gov/co/fryark/html
Reclamation - Managing Water in the West http://www.usbr.gov/gp/ecao/pueblo_safety.pdf
Dams Safety Law: http://www.damsafety.org/documents/pdf/CO.pdf
Other Water Storage Options Pueblo Chieftain http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1160894586/1