Halligan Reservoir Enlargement Project

In September 2003, City Council adopted the Water Supply and Demand Management Policy update, identifying the need for 9,000 to 20,000 acre feet of long term carryover storage capacity. Capturing surplus water during wet and average years, the stored supply could then be used during drought periods.

The enlargement of Halligan Reservoir is among the alternatives being evaluated for long term storage to meet our need for drought protection. In November 2003, City Council approved a resolution to exercise the City's option with the North Poudre Irrigation company to proceed with enlargement of Halligan Reservoir on the North Fork of the Poudre River. Since the council's approval, the city has continued discussions with potential partners in the project.

In 1909, Halligan Reservoir was constructed on the North Fork of the Poudre River. For 94 years, this historic concrete arch dam has supplied 6,400 acre-feet of water to the shareholders of North Poudre Irrigation Company (NPIC). In 1989, FCU and NPIC completed a study to enlarge Halligan Reservoir in order to increase water supply reliability, especially during drought years. Several years later, in 1993, FCU signed an agreement with NPIC to acquire rights to the existing reservoir and the potential enlargement project. In 2002, Fort Collins Utilities updated the 1989 feasibility study to address current environmental issues and project costs.