How does Denver Water use its water in the Chatfield Reservoir?
Denver Water uses its water in Chatfield primarily for exchange to Denver’s upstream reservoirs. An exchange is a trade of water. Water is released from Chatfield to supply a senior agricultural water right downstream of Chatfield, in exchange for allowing Denver Water to divert a like amount of water at its upstream reservoirs that have junior water rights, such as Cheesman or Eleven Mile. Exchanges of water help fill Denver’s upstream reservoirs, from which water can be delivered to Denver Water’s treatment plants. Without exchange, Denver Water would miss opportunities to store more water in its upstream reservoirs. Denver Water also has a temporary pump installed in Chatfield that can access the top five feet of the reservoir. This water is pumped to Marston Reservoir.
