Fossil Creek Reservoir evolves to public space

By Cherry Sokoloski
Fossil Creek Current

Fossil Creek Reservoir, owned by North Poudre Irrigation Co., was off-limits to the public until just 18 months ago. Now, thanks to the generosity of the irrigation company and commitment by local governments, this Larimer County gem is a haven for wildlife and wildlife watchers.

Construction of Fossil Creek Reservoir began in 1902, without the benefit of modern-day equipment. Labor was supplied by men and horses, while materials were moved by the wagonload. Like most reservoirs in the area, Fossil Creek was built as a storage facility for irrigation water.

Water stored at Fossil Creek is used primarily for three purposes: delivery to stockholders for agricultural or municipal use, regulation of flows along the Cache la Poudre River and water exchanges. When excess water is available, it can be rented to farmers or cities.

Fossil Creek Reservoir is large. It covers 754 acres and has a total storage capacity of 11,100 acre-feet. Some of the water in the reservoir is treated wastewater from two plants serving Fort Collins. Water flows to the reservoir from the Cache la Poudre and then returns to the river downstream.

Water exchanges

Of the 300 preferred water rights in Fossil Creek Reservoir, 151 are owned by NPIC. However, the reservoir is considerably downstream from most of NPIC's agricultural shareholders, who farm in the Wellington area. Because of this location, NPIC has always used Fossil Creek Reservoir primarily for water exchanges. Water in the reservoir is exchanged for water upriver or in other reservoirs.

NPIC owns 40,000 units of water in the Colorado-Big Thompson project, and C-BT water is used in most exchanges involving Fossil Creek Reservoir.

This is how a typical exchange works. C-BT water is stored in Horsetooth Reservoir and other C-BT facilities. Because of Horsetooth's location, its water can be delivered to many NPIC shareholders. To obtain more of that water, NPIC works out exchanges with downstream water users, such as a Greeley irrigation company. NPIC uses some of the Greeley company's water, which is delivered from Horsetooth. The Greeley company then takes the same amount of water from Fossil Creek Reservoir.

As another example, NPIC can trade water with Fort Collins. In that case, NPIC might take water from the city's Joe Wright Reservoir near Cameron Pass, while Fort Collins would take NPIC water from Fossil Creek.

Recreational use

In addition to its primary uses, Fossil Creek Reservoir has long been used for recreation as well. For about 30 years, NPIC leased the surface rights on the reservoir to a boating club, whose members enjoyed activities such as water skiing and fishing. The general public, however, was not allowed at the site.

A few years ago, the picture changed dramatically. NPIC's board of directors began to take a hard look at Fossil Creek Reservoir as a resource that could benefit the wider public. "With the rapid changes along the Front Range and in agriculture, it was necessary to take another look at how we manage our resources," said NPIC manager Steve Smith.

In the end, the board decided to work with the city and county in creating a new open space for the benefit of wildlife and the public. "A lot of thought went into it," said Smith. It was a huge change in NPIC's philosophy, he noted, and an unusual move for an irrigation company.

Thanks to the innovative agreement worked out in 2001, the reservoir and surrounding areas are now managed jointly by Larimer County, Fort Collins and NPIC. Together, they own more than 1,500 acres in the Fossil Creek Reservoir Complex, and conservation easements protect an additional 433 acres.

Fort Collins leases the surface rights from NPIC, and the ducks, geese and gulls are now the only ones "boating" on the reservoir.

In October 2004, Fossil Creek Reservoir officially opened its wings to birders and other nature lovers. Even though the area is just barely being discovered, a whopping 40,000 folks flocked to its shores in 2005.

"It's in everyone's backyard," said reservoir manager Travis Rollins, with proximity to Fort Collins, Timnath, Loveland, Windsor and Greeley.

The area is intensively managed for wildlife protection. "It's the most restricted open space we have," said Rollins. "We don't allow bikes, horses or fishing. Most visitors really like that, because they can see the wildlife without distractions." Some trails are closed at certain times of the year, for the benefit of wildlife. Amenities for people include a visitor center, picnic shelters, trails and two bird blinds, the latter geared to shooting photos rather than shotguns.

Fort Collins and Larimer County have embarked on a five-year habitat improvement plan for the reservoir. The area was previously farmed, but 400 acres are now being restored to native shortgrass prairie. For 2006, the plan calls for building an osprey nesting platform as well as nesting boxes for other birds.

NPIC is proud of its role in creating a new open space for wildlife protection and public enjoyment. The reservoir is now recognized as an Important Bird Area, and it is increasingly used to enhance the appreciation of Colorado's wildlife.