April 27, 2010 - As weather warms up and recreationists are planning their mountain getaways, Denver Water wants to remind the public that Cheesman Reservoir is closed to visitors, as the utility makes essential upgrades to the dam, which was built in 1905. The reservoir is scheduled to reopen May 1, 2011. Upper and lower Gill Trail will remain open to hikers who want to access Cheesman Canyon throughout the closure period.
During the closure, which began Jan. 1, 2010, Denver Water is upgrading the dam’s valve system, which was installed when the dam was built in 1905, and divers using specialized diving construction techniques are installing underwater trash racks to prevent debris from clogging the valves.
“Cheesman is more than 100 years old, and the underwater valves we are replacing were installed in 1905 and the late 1920s,” said Brian Good, director of operations and maintenance. “Upgrading our aging infrastructure is vital to maintaining dam safety, providing a viable water supply and ensuring smooth operations.”