Digging Into The Future On Colorado s Eastern Plains
Tunneling project helps Denver Water turn gravel pits into reservoirs along South Platte River.
Drive northeast of Denver and it’s hard to miss the small lakes, big piles of sand and large holes that dot the landscape along the South Platte River Valley next to Interstate 76 and U.S. Highway 85.
The area in Adams and Weld counties has long been home to a number of mining operations for sand and gravel.
Once the mining is done, giant holes are left in the ground.
Those holes are now being snatched up by Front Range cities and water utilities to store water. They’re an alternative to building new reservoirs in the mountains and foothills.