Waterton Canyon/Strontia Springs Reservoir

Heed ongoing construction

Denver Water and our contractors are currently rebuilding the hydroelectric facility located at Strontia Springs Reservoir in Waterton Canyon.

The project includes all new equipment inside the hydro building as well as a new switchyard outside, making the work area approximately two acres near the top of the canyon. Due to the nature of this work, multiple trades are required to complete the work, resulting in daily construction traffic in the canyon. Designated contractor parking will be near the top of the canyon.

The project is imperative for Denver Water’s operations and maintenance of our water system.

Please use caution when hiking and biking in the area. We currently do not anticipate any canyon closures. We anticipate construction to be completed early summer 2026. Please check back frequently for construction updates.

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From bighorns to bike trails, a great place to play

Strontia Springs Dam is 6.2 miles upstream of the mouth of Waterton Canyon on the South Platte River. Water is diverted from the reservoir to the Foothills Water Treatment Plant and Marston Water Treatment Plant. Completed in 1983, this dam rises 243 feet above the South Platte streambed.

Waterton Canyon is home to many different types of wildlife, including the popular Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herd. There are also mule deer, black bears, mountain lion(s), elk, lizards and snakes, including the prairie rattlesnake.

South System Operations Updates

We are committed to ensuring our partners in local and county government, as well as those who live, work and play in our South System, are kept in the know about Denver Water operations.

By the numbers

7,864

capacity in acre-feet

6,002

elevation at dam spillway in feet

98

reservoir surface acreage

40

bird species in the canyon

% full

Recreation notes

Recreation map

Fishing: The stream fishery is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. For lake fishing, note that Strontia Springs Reservoir is difficult to access from the Bear Creek inlet off the Colorado Trail or at the South Platte from the confluence of the main stem and north fork of the South Platte River.

Handicapped accessible fishing pier: A mile and a quarter up the canyon, the site was chosen for its mountain canyon stream location and access to fish habitat structures in the river. Handicapped persons have priority use.

Biking: For the first 6.2 miles of trail, road bikes are suitable. Beyond the dam, mountain bikes are a must.

Hiking: The canyon offers a 6.2-mile hike to the dam. The Colorado Trail continues above the reservoir about 10 miles to the confluence of the North Fork of the South Platte and the South Platte. The Colorado Trail continues to Durango. Waterton also connects to the Roxborough State Park system and Indian Creek Trail (USFS #800).

Horseback riding: Waterton Canyon connects to the Chatfield State Parks trail system and the U.S. Forest Service Indian Creek system. Trailer parking is provided at Waterton and at the Discovery Pavilion.

Wildlife viewing: Bighorn sheep and mule deer are often seen in the canyon, which also hosts more than 40 species of birds. To protect the bighorn sheep, dogs and other domesticated pets/animals are not allowed on the canyon trails.

Special events: All groups organized or special events of more than 25 people must obtain a special use permit. Permits are not issued for weekends or holidays due to overcrowding. Weekday events (Monday–Friday) will be considered for a permit. Submit request for permit at least 30 days prior to event. For more details and to make a request, please see Waterton Canyon permits below.

Directions

Follow Wadsworth Boulevard (Highway 121) south of C-470 past Chatfield Reservoir.
Turn left on Waterton Road.
Take second entrance to the parking lot on the left.

Rules and regulations

Denver Water has been and continues to discuss and evaluate how we can move forward with our partners regarding recreation e-bike restrictions in the future.

For some background, in Waterton Canyon, Denver Water is the owner of portions of this path and most of the facilities in the canyon. There are also other entities in the canyon, including the U.S. Forest Service that own portions of the path. The U.S. Forest Service classifies the canyon as a “non-motorized path.”

To ensure a mutual understanding for how we manage Waterton Canyon for recreation, Denver Water entered into the 1979 Foothills Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The agreement prohibits the use of motorized devices in the canyon. We are committed to having discussions to help find the best solutions with our partners and for our community, which will require a formal process that will take time.

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes used as part of an ADA accommodation in Waterton Canyon are permitted on Denver Water’s portion of the path, depending on the size, weight and speed of the device, so long as it wouldn’t cause a safety risk because of crowds or trail conditions (e.g. on a busy day) and so long as the requestor can provide credible assurance that they require an accommodation to access the facility.

As we continue to work on a more formalized process, those seeking ADA accommodations in Waterton Canyon can contact our Recreation team at recreation@denverwater.org. You will need to be able to provide credible assurance that you require an accommodation to access the facility before arriving. As a reminder, Denver Water can only grant permission for use on its property and does not have authority over the path owned by U.S. Forest Service. There are clear signs noting the demarcation of property owned by Denver Water and by the U.S. Forest Service.

Denver Water strives to offer as many recreational activities as possible while also maintaining a safe, efficient environment for recreational users and the workers that share the canyon.