Adams Tunnel diversions decreasing

When we expect gigantic runoff, we prefer to keep the Adams Tunnel running full blast, because every acre foot diverted to the East Slope creates room for another acre foot of runoff. With that, we lower the possibility of having to make higher releases out of Lake Granby.

But we have two things working against us. First, East Slope reservoirs are nearly full, and soon we won't have empty space available for Adams Tunnel diversions.

Second, the water rights system limits our options. Northern Water holds decrees for Big Thompson River water, and when those rights come into priority, we are obligated to use that water, not West Slope water, to fill our East Slope reservoirs and make water deliveries.

Yesterday our East Slope decree came into priority and operators reduced tunnel diversions by 40 cfs. Today, even more East Slope water became available and tunnel diversions went down an additional 125 cfs.

The amount of East Slope water available to our decree varies from day to day and depends on streamflow and other water users' demands. To keep up to date, you can monitor Adams Tunnel diversions as we move through the warm season.



Adams Tunnel diversions, last 10 days