Colorado Dam Removal May Cause Headaches for Nearby Residents

Simply hearing the news that a dam is going to be removed from a reservoir is enough to conjure up thoughts of massive flooding, fear, and destruction.

However, it was recently announced that yes, a dam in the mountains of Colorado is set to be removed and will likely only cause minor headaches for those in the area.

Fooses Lake's Dam Near Monarch Colorado to Be Removed

In case you're not familiar, somewhere between Poncha Springs and Monarch Ski Resort is a little turn-off that takes you to Fooses Lake; an absolutely gorgeous reservoir in an equally gorgeous part of the state.

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However, Xcel Energy has announced that the 218-foot dam the company had previously put into place will be removed over the next handful of months with an estimated completion date of December 2024.

Why is this Colorado Dam Being Removed?

According to Xcel Energy, the dam is currently not bringing in any money for the company but due to maintenance and upkeep, it is causing it to lose money.

What Will Be the Consequences of Removing the Colorado Dam?

Fooses Lake is widely known for its fishing and while Xcel and Colorado Parks and Wildlife have assured that the fish will not be harmed, catching any fish in the reservoir will be prohibited for some time.

In addition, the few locals that call the area home are expected to have to deal with a lot more traffic along Monarch Pass, specifically around County Road 225 which serves as access to the lake, as well as periodic road closures.

[The Mountain Mail]