Cheesman Reservoir closed until May 2012

9/1/2011

Cheesman Reservoir is closed to visitors until spring of 2012, as Denver Water completes essential upgrades to the dam, which was built in 1905. Upper and lower Gill Trail will remain open to hikers who want to access Cheesman Canyon throughout the closure period.

"We’ve received some inquiries about the reservoir being open this fall and want to clarify any misinformation," said Neil Sperandeo, manager of recreation. "We understand the inconvenience, but completing this project is vital to maintaining dam safety, providing a reliable water supply and ensuring smooth operations. We look forward to opening the reservoir to recreationists next year."

The reservoir has been closed to visitors since Jan. 1, 2010. During the first phase of the project, crews completed upgrades to valves inside the dam hundreds of feet below the reservoir’s surface. Cheesman is expected to reopen to visitors May 1, 2012.

Cheesman Dam is more than 100 years old and is considered the "workhorse" of Denver’s supply system. The underwater valves were installed when the dam was first completed in 1905, and more were added in and the late 1920s.

For more information about Cheesman Reservoir, visit www.denverwater.org/Recreation/Cheesman.