Chimney Hollow Dam Nears Completion in Northern Colorado
After years of planning and construction, the Chimney Hollow Dam in Northern Colorado is approaching its final stages. The 350-foot-tall structure, situated west of Loveland, has recently been topped off, with crews preparing to pave a roadway across its summit that will not be accessible to the public.
Dam Features and Purpose
Spanning over 1,000 feet in width, the dam features a thin asphalt layer designed to prevent water seepage through its rock foundation. The project, along with the associated Chimney Hollow Reservoir, has been in development for decades as Northern Water aimed to secure additional drinking water supplies for the region's rapidly growing population, which is expected to double in the next 20 years.
Insights from Northern Water's Director
"The demand for water is significant," stated Jeff Drager, Northern Water's Director of Engineering. Having been involved since the project's early days, Drager has witnessed its evolution firsthand.
He shared with CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas a visit to the dam's top, nearly four years after construction began. There, h...