Removal of dam at Fooses Reservoir to impact activities

(SALIDA, Colo.) — Xcel Energy will be removing a dam located in the Salida Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands starting July 2024.

The project involves removing the 218-foot earth and rock-fill dam at Fooses Reservoir on the South Arkansas River near Garfield; it is expected to begin this summer and last until December 2024.

“Xcel Energy is decommissioning their dam and reconstructing the stream to a natural state because it is no longer necessary for power generation, and due to the costs of upkeep,” said Salida District Ranger Perry Edwards. “I want to remind people that there are new pond fishing opportunities at Monarch Park Campground lakes which were dredged last year and stocked with fish by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A new accessible fishing pier has also been installed there.”

Construction will also remove the 4,806-foot gravity flow pipeline and the majority of the 8,080-foot penstock line from the dam to the powerhouse.

During the implementation of the project, individuals may come across a few obstacles when heading to Footes Reservoir. Fishing will be prohibited during construction and access to the reservoir will be limited. Forest Service Road 225, located past the reservoir, will be limited to foot and bicycle traffic only. A pedestrian path will be available for public use.

Motorists can also expect increased traffic when entering and exiting County Road 225 and Highway 50 during construction. County Road 225 may periodically close for short periods of time. These closures will be communicated in advance by Xcel Energy to homeowners in the community. Traffic will be managed per the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) access requirements and per safe traffic control practices.

Public Parking will be limited to approximately five vehicles at the closure point. The parking area will only have enough space for vehicles without trailers to turn around if needed. Signage will display the extent of available parking, and the closure will remain in place until construction is completed.

Disturbed areas associated with pipeline removal will be revegetated with native plant species. The project will restore approximately 765 feet of Fooses Creek including revegetation and fish habitat. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will relocate fish from the reservoir using electrofishing and trap netting before transferring them downstream.

“Stream connectivity is a vital function of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Restoring stream connectivity will improve fisheries by allowing access to vital spawning, refuge, and forage habitats. Access to all of these habitats is crucial so that fish can fulfill their life history traits and healthy population metrics can be maintained,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife area aquatic biologist Alex Townsend. “We will continue to monitor the aquatic health of this fishery post-project. We want to ensure that we are using all the management tools at our disposal to promote the health and prosperity of Fooses Creek so that anglers can continue to enjoy this resource in its new form.”

Xcel Energy is coordinating with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to ensure that fish are handled responsibly during the water removal process.

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