Sept. 9, 2024

Chimney Hollow Main Dam Surpasses Height of Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake Dams

Chimney Hollow main dam has emerged as the tallest dam on the Northern Front Range, and there is still 100 feet to go. In mid-August, the height of the main dam hit 241 feet, which means it is now taller than any dam at Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir. Excluding the main dam at Chimney Hollow, the height of the five tallest dams on the Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) East Slope distribution systems are:  

  1. Dixon Canyon Dam (Horsetooth Reservoir): 240 feet  
  2. Soldier Canyon Dam (Horsetooth Reservoir): 226 feet  
  3. Spring Canyon Dam (Horsetooth Reservoir): 220 feet  
  4. Carter Lake Dam No. 1: 214 feet  
  5. Horsetooth Dam: 155 feet 

When complete, the Chimney Hollow main dam will be about 40 feet taller than the tallest dam in the C-BT Project - Green Mountain dam is 309 feet tall.  

View of the CH main dam looking east taken on 9.5.2024

The tallest dam in Colorado is Morrow Point Dam (468 feet) and the second tallest is Blue Mesa (390 feet). Both dams are on the Gunnison River. The third tallest is Gross Reservoir (330 feet); however, it is currently under construction and is planned to be 471 feet when complete, which would make it the tallest dam in the state. Ultimately, Chimney Hollow will be the fourth tallest dam in Colorado. 

Earlier this summer, Barnard Construction placed a white banner on the right abutment to provide a visual of its goal to have the main dam reach 331.5 feet tall by the end of this year. Progress on the eventual 350-foot-tall main dam is on track as crews continue to work 24 hours a day, six days a week to raise the dam about 3.5 feet per week. As of Sept. 9, the height of the dam is 254.25 feet.