April 1, 2025

Glade Dam, U.S. 287 and Pipelines: Your Guide to NISP Construction

The conclusion of the federal litigation against the NISP permit means the project can move forward more rapidly toward construction. With several large components to be built, construction will be a complex process.

The initial contracts for NISP will be divided into multiple separate and distinct major packages. The construction packages for the Glade Unit area include:

  • Glade Reservoir Dam, forebay, spillway, outlet works and other associated features;
  • Glade Pump Plant to place water into Glade Reservoir;
  • Encasement of the Munroe Canal across the bottom of the newly formed Glade Reservoir;
  • Canal improvements from the Poudre River to the Glade Forebay;
  • New substation and overhead electric lines to the Glade Pump Plant.
  • Relocation of U.S. Highway 287 to a route east of Glade Reservoir.

Nearly 50 miles of large diameter transmission pipeline will also be constructed in separate phases to deliver water from Glade Reservoir to the Project participants.

A highway runs through a valley with grass, trees and shrubs
U.S. 287 runs through the site of Glade Reservoir. As the reservoir and components are built, a new highway will be built east of the current location.

The timing of construction of each of the components is subject to change; however, the priorities include relocating U.S. Highway 287 to facilitate construction of Glade Reservoir, starting on longer-duration construction packages, and working with other stakeholders ahead of planned development in the region.

The first two components to get under way will be a short segment of pipeline construction in Johnstown this summer and the relocation of U.S. Highway 287 beginning this fall. Construction of the major Glade Unit components will begin in 2026 with anticipated completion in 2030.

Each of the components listed above will have its own schedule of construction, start date and completion date. All will need to be completed prior to NISP making its first water deliveries, in the early 2030s.

Following completion of Glade Reservoir and its associated features, Galeton Reservoir northeast of Greeley will be built.