GEI to Engineer Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir
The Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and the La Plata Water Conservancy District have selected GEI Consultants Inc. to provide dam engineering services for the Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir, which is located about 22 miles southwest of Durango, Colo.
The Long Hollow Reservoir (LHR) Project will assist the State of Colorado in meeting its delivery obligations under the La Plata River Compact by providing water to improve La Plata River flow delivery to New Mexico. GEI will provide dam engineering services for the Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir project, including design of the dam, foundation, outlet works, and emergency spillway. The reservoir will provide up to 5,432 acre-feet of storage capacity and includes a 300 acre-foot reserve pool designated for release during low-flow river conditions to meet Compact requirements with New Mexico.
As conceptually proposed, the 900-foot-long, 125-foot-high Long Hollow Dam will be located on Long Hollow channel, approximately one-half mile upstream from its confluence with the La Plata River. The Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir will ultimately increase the beneficial use of water and will better enable the state to meet the La Plata River Compact requirements. The project will also provide supplemental water supply to existing irrigated lands within the La Plata Water Conservancy District (LPWCD).
GEI’s project team includes Davis Engineering Service of Pagosa Springs, Colorado for hydrologic engineering, site civil surveying, and permitting support.