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Hydropower Permitting
The Colorado River Water Conservation District has worked for the past three years to gain approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to generate hydroelectric power at Wolford Mountain Reservoir's Ritschard Dam.
Continuing drought conditions have prompted the Board of the Colorado River Water Conservation District to evaluate the potential for increasing Wolford Mountain Reservoir's storage capacity, placing the proposed hydropower project on hold.
Adding clean energy production to the operation of Wolford Mountain Reservoir would capitalize on the reservoir's releases of water to downstream water users, increasing its benefit to all Coloradans.
Hydroelectric power generation would bring yet another beneficial use to Wolford Mountain Reservoir. Already, the reservoir:
• Provides stored water for municipal and agricultural use;
• Releases additional water for the benefit of endangered fish species;
• Is a tremendous recreational resource for fishing and boating;
• Gives an economic boost to Grand County; and
• Has increased the wetlands value by repairing previously damaged riparian areas below the dam.
If this project becomes reality, Colorado will gain an additional source of economical, nonpolluting and renewable energy. Ritschard Dam was designed to accommodate the possibility of future hydroelectric generation, precluding the need for significant retrofitting.
The FERC process is a comprehensive examination requiring public input to complete. You are invited to learn more about the potential for hydroelectric generation at Wolford Mountain Reservoir.
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