CPW and DWR Host Meeting Monday in Lamar to Discuss Two Buttes Reservoir

Full Two Buttes Reservoir

Full Two Buttes Reservoir

LAMAR, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Division of Water Resources will host a public meeting on Monday, Aug. 12 to discuss structural issues with the dam at Two Buttes Reservoir. The public meeting will begin at 5 p.m. on Monday at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in Lamar (2500 S. Main Street).

Recent rains created an influx of water into Two Buttes Reservoir, raising the water level more than 20 feet in less than a week. A long standing storage order from the Division of Water Resources, also known as the Office of the State Engineer, requires Colorado Parks and Wildlife to begin to release water from the reservoir when it rises above the 20-foot level. As the reservoir level continues to rise due to persistent rainfall, CPW has begun to make the required releases in order to comply with the order and balance the benefits of storage with the risks of flooding to downstream properties and communities.

“We understand that water releases during a drought might raise questions for local residents that rely on the reservoir, however public safety and ensuring structural integrity of the dam are of critical importance,” said Mike King, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees both Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Division of Water Resources. “I’ve asked staff from both agencies to hold a public meeting as soon as possible to answer questions about the issue and try to address the concerns from people in southeast Colorado.”

Two Buttes Reservoir 8-10-13 (2)Staff from the Division of Water Resources will be on hand to discuss the benefits and risks of expanded storage at Two Buttes. Staff from Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be available to explain the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve and repair the dam so that additional water can be safely stored.

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For more news about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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