Cherry Creek Reservoir

Cherry Creek Reservoir
Name	Cherry Creek Reservoir
Location	Arapahoe County, Colorado / Denver vicinity
Type	reservoir
Inflow	Cherry Creek
Outflow	Cherry Creek
Basin countries	United States
Area	880 acres
Created	1950s
Operator	United States Army Corps of Engineers / Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Cherry Creek Reservoir is a man-made impoundment located southeast of Denver, Colorado in Arapahoe County near the community of Aurora. Constructed in the mid-20th century, the reservoir functions as a regional water storage, flood control, and recreation facility linked to the Cherry Creek watershed and the South Platte River. It sits within a network of municipal, federal, and state agencies managing urban water supply, stormwater, and outdoor recreation across the Denver metropolitan area.

Geography and Hydrology

The reservoir occupies a prairie basin carved by historical tributaries to the South Platte River and lies within the High Plains-Front Range transition. Primary inflow and outflow is via Cherry Creek, with seasonal runoff influenced by snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains and precipitation across the Front Range Urban Corridor. Surface area averages about 880 acres with variable depth tied to operational releases coordinated among Urban drainage districts, municipal utilities such as Aurora Water, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The impoundment alters natural hydrograph patterns that historically connected to downstream reaches near Parker and the confluence with the South Platte River at Denver.

History and Construction

The project originated from mid-century flood concerns following events that affected Denver, Colorado and surrounding communities. Planning involved federal authorities including the United States Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies. Construction of the earthen dam and associated infrastructure began in the 1950s as part of broader postwar water resources development alongside projects like Chatfield Reservoir and Barr Lake State Park improvements. Local municipalities such as Aurora, Colorado and Douglas County, Colorado participated in water rights and land acquisition negotiations. Completion of the dam created a managed impoundment used for flood attenuation, water storage, and municipal supply augmentation.

Recreation and Amenities

The reservoir and adjacent state park features provide boating, angling, picnicking, and trails that attract residents from Denver and Aurora. Managed recreational activities are overseen by Cherry Creek State Park and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, offering facilities including boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic shelters, and multi-use trailheads that connect to regional greenways such as the High Line Canal Trail and Platte River Trail. Popular fish species targeted by recreational anglers include Channel catfish, Walleye, and Largemouth bass, with seasonal tournaments drawing clubs affiliated with organizations like the National Professional Fishing League. Birdwatching draws enthusiasts seeking species documented in regional checklists maintained by the Audubon Society affiliates.

Ecology and Wildlife

Situated in a prairie-parkland ecotone, the reservoir supports assemblages of waterfowl, passerines, and riparian mammals. Aquatic habitat hosts introduced and native fish communities interacting with riparian vegetation such as cottonwood stands common along Front Range waterways. Avian species observed include migratory waterfowl moving along the Central Flyway, raptors that utilize nearby urban and open habitats, and wetland-dependent species targeted in habitat assessments conducted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Adjacent prairie and shrublands support mammals like coyote and white-tailed deer that are part of regional wildlife management plans coordinated among state and county agencies.

Water Management and Flood Control

The facility functions as a multipurpose reservoir within the South Platte River Basin water management framework. Flood control operations are coordinated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in concert with municipal water providers including Aurora Water and regional water conservancy districts. Water storage also intersects with entitlement and downstream return flow obligations governed by Colorado water law and interstate compacts affecting the South Platte River Compact context. Seasonal release schedules balance municipal demands, environmental flow targets, and downstream flood risk reduction for communities along Cherry Creek and the South Platte River.

Environmental Issues and Conservation

Environmental challenges include eutrophication risk from urban runoff, invasive species management, and habitat fragmentation from surrounding development in the Denver metropolitan area. Nutrient inputs from stormwater influence algal dynamics monitored by state agencies and university researchers at institutions such as the University of Colorado Denver and Colorado State University. Conservation efforts involve riparian restoration initiatives, collaboration with local watershed groups, and invasive species control targeting aquatic plants and nonnative fish. Policy actions intersect with state environmental statutes administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and habitat programs supported by The Nature Conservancy affiliates.

Access and Facilities

Public access is provided through entry points at Cherry Creek State Park facilities with parking, restrooms, and accessible trails. Boating regulations, licensing, and safety enforcement are handled by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local law enforcement agencies. Proximate transportation corridors include Interstate 225 and local roads connecting to Aurora Municipal Center and Denver International Airport for regional visitors. Visitor services include interpretive programming, boat rental concessions, and designated swim areas within park management plans.

Category:Reservoirs in Colorado Category:Protected areas of Arapahoe County, Colorado