Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (ERWSD) and Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (UERWA) are planning to redevelop Bolts Lake in Minturn into a 1,200 acre-foot reservoir.
ERWSD and UERWA are collectively the second largest municipal water suppliers on the western slope, serving 55,000 customers during peak seasons, and require additional in-basin storage supplies to service customers while maintaining healthy flows in the Eagle River. The Bolts Lake site was selected because of its proximity to Cross Creek and the Eagle River, its location on private property, and its previous use as a reservoir.
In 1890, Ben Bolt developed the reservoir for recreational purposes by diverting water from Cross Creek into a natural basin. The reservoir has been inactive since 1996, when the dam was breached by order of Colorado’s State Engineer due to safety concerns.
Project Benefits
Creates a new source of in-basin water supply off-stream without damming the Eagle River
Contributes to the creation of water storage strategic reserves to mitigate against the impacts of a warming climate
Provides additional water supply to serve workforce housing projects and other community land use priorities
Protects minimum stream flows in the Eagle River during drought and critical low-flow periods
Creates new recreational opportunities including fishing, non-motorized boating, and paddleboarding
Furthers remediation of the adjacent Eagle Mine Superfund site by capping former tailings piles with excess soil from the reservoir excavation
Timeline
ERWSD and UERWA completed a feasibility study before purchasing the reservoir property in 2022. A preliminary design was completed in early 2024. AECOM was hired to prepare 30% design and associated documents, which will be completed in June of 2025. The final design and construction documents will be completed upon completion of the EA process. This will allow for any impactful comments to be incorporated into the design.
2024: Premilinary Study and Design Completed
Spring 2025: Complete 30% Design
2025-2026: Federal Permitting and Design Development
2027-2028: Final Design, State and Local Permitting, and Construction Financing
2029 – 2031: Construction (3 years)
2032: Reservoir Operational
Cost Implications
Conceptual cost estimates for the reservoir range from $75 to $100 million with an estimated rate impact of $15 to $20 per month per single-family equivalent. ERWSD is pursuing grant funding opportunities to minimize the financial burden on ratepayers.
Project Updates
May 17, 2021 - ERWSD and UERWA evaluate Bolts Lake site for new reservoir
Sept. 17, 2021 - Remediation work underway at Bolts Lake
Jan 18, 2022 - Remediation work of Trestle Area at Bolts Lake deemed complete due to collaborative partnership in Minturn
Feb 22, 2022 - ERWSD and UERWA purchase Bolts Lake site for new 1,200-acre-foot water supply reservoir