Three Lakes Watershed Association

Three Lakes Watershed Association

Protecting and Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Three Lakes Area

JOIN, RENEW, DONATE

Three Lakes Watershed Association

Protecting and Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Three Lakes Area

JOIN, RENEW, DONATE

Three Lakes Watershed Association

Protecting and Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Three Lakes Area

JOIN, RENEW, DONATE

Three Lakes Watershed Association

Protecting and Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Three Lakes Area

JOIN, RENEW, DONATE

Three Lakes Watershed Association

Protecting and Enhancing the Quality of Life in the Three Lakes Area

JOIN, RENEW, DONATE

Colorado lawmakers approve resolution backing efforts to restore Grand Lake’s clarity

Colorado lawmakers OK’d a measure this week backing efforts to restore Grand Lake, the state’s deepest natural lake once known for its clear waters.

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Making A Difference

Activities in recent years have been predominately centered on improving the clarity of the water in both Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake. Specifically, we maintain contact with the Town of Grand Lake, Grand County, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, Colorado River District, Northwest Colorado Counsel of Governments, Grand County Water Information Network, and over 475 Three Lakes Watershed Association Members. We rely on our members’ time and expertise to make our voice heard on some of the most pressing issues in our community. We invite you to review our website and click on "Learn More” or keep reading below to join us in our mission to preserve the quality in the three lakes area.

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Our Initiatives

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Process Starts to Develop Permanent Fix for Clarity Issues In Grand Lake

Members of TLWSA have joined members of Town of Grand Lake, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand County, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, USGS, Colorado River District, and Northwest Colorado Counsel of Governments to develop alternatives through the NEPA process to permanently fix the design flaws with the Colorado Big Thompson Project in Grand Lake. The following links will take you to the backup and the regulation passed by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission for the new Grand Lake clarity standard passed on 5/9/2016 and finalized on 6/30/2016.

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The TLWSA was instrumental in the creation of the Three Lakes Water and Sanitation District

The TLWSA is instrumental in the creation of the Three Lakes Water and Sanitation District, a much needed sewer system for our area. Accomplished during the 1970s, this action continues to significantly reduce pollutants to the Upper Colorado River Watershed in and around Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby Reservoir.

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Colorado Water Quality Control Commission passed a Clarity Standard for Grand Lake

This was a huge win for Grand Lake and was truly a team effort led by members of TLWSA, Town of Grand Lake, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand County, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, USGS, Colorado River District, Northwest Colorado Counsel of Governments, and Midwest Electric Consumers.

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TLWSA partners with Grand County to monitor algae growth in the Shadow Mountain/Grand Lake Connecting Channel

The TLWSA has recently signed an agreement with Grand County to help fund the algae monitoring effort to be conducted in the channel between Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir.  This initiative will greatly help Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District to monitor algae blooms in Shadow Mountain Reservoir and hopefully improve clarity of Grand Lake by preventing major algae issues from moving from one body of water to the other.

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The TLWSA purchases the Fire Boat for the Grand Lake Fire Department

The TLWSA purchased the Grand Lake Fire Department a Fire Boat to fight fires from the lake using lake water pumped from a commercial pump on the boat.  Many areas around Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir do not have access to fire hydrants and the roads are not always passable.  The Fire Boat is a major piece of equipment for providing the fire safety for hundreds of structures located on and around the lakes.  TLWSA also pays for all maintenance and any repairs the Fire Boat may need.

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The TLWSA provides the funding of the dock space for the Northern Colorado Water

The TLWSA provides the funding for Northern Water to keep its Water Testing Boat at Trail Ridge Marina. This boat is also used by GCWIN for rigorous water testing. This boat is used to collect very important data that helps both the Bureau of Reclamation and Northern Water make flow decisions that can prevent major water quality issues.

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Updates

Colorado Water Quality Control Commission (CWQCC) Passes Clarity Standard for Grand Lake. The CWQCC have officially passed new revisions to the Classifications and Numeric Standards for Upper Colorado River Basin and North Platte River (Planning Region 12), Regulation 33.56 (5 CCR 1002-33). This new standard sets a 3.8 meter clarity standard in Grand Lake from July 1st through September 11 each year and puts a minimum of 2.5 meters based on certain critical factors. These new clarity standards for Grand Lake were adopted in 2016.

This was a huge win for Grand Lake and was truly a team effort led by members of Three Lakes Watershed Association, Town of Grand Lake, Bureau of Reclamation, Grand County, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, USGS, Colorado River District, Northwest Colorado Counsel of Governments, and Midwest Electric Consumers. The standard will be in place for 5 years and will allow the Bureau of Reclamation to develop a long term solution to a problem that has existed since the construction of the Colorado Big Thompson Project in the late 1940’s.

For the most recent (2019) Water Quality/Grand Lake Clarity outcomes, please see https://www.co.grand.co.us/DocumentCenter/View/14164/Grand-Lake-Clarity-Adaptive-Management-Slides-for-Grand-County-011520?bidId=

Newsletters

2023 Annual Newsletter

This Annual Newsletter is an overview and update of the Three Lakes Watershed Association (TLWA) year in review.  TLWA will not have an annual meeting in 2023 due to scheduling conflicts and this newsletter will replace that meeting.  We plan to have annual meetings every other year and will schedule one for August 2024.

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September 2020 Members Newsletter

Over the past several years, the high snow pack and long spring runoffs made it possible for the operators of the Big Thompson Project to time most water...

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June 2019 Members Newsletter

Truly one of nature’s great masterpieces, Grand Lake provides an unlimited supply of recreational and leisure pursuits.  Attention is required to ensure it is here for generations to enjoy.  If we do not join together to help improve and restore the watershed, we will lose this resource.

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Featured product

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Available in two sizes with an elastic stretch band, this hat is a sure winner in comfort! It has an athletic shape with a curved visor. 

• 63% polyester/34% cotton/3% spandex twill
• Structured, 6-panel, mid-profile
• Stretch band
• Silver under visor
• Head circumference: 22” - 23 ⅞”

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