Click the link to read the article on the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel website (Dan West). Here’s an excerpt:
February 22, 2026
The City of Grand Junction is planning to fully drain Juniata Reservoir, one of two reservoirs that store the city’s water coming off Grand Mesa, later this year, after a leak was discovered during a routine inspection that will require a multi-year effort to fix. During an inspection, a crack in the outlet structure pipe that allows water to leak into the pipe going through the dam was discovered, according to the City of Grand Junction. Grand Junction Utilities Director Randi Kim said the crack and the slow seepage of water was discovered over the last few years and has been monitored by the city. The most recent inspection happened over the summer, she said.
“There’s a crack in the outlet pipe on the interior of the dam, and then that’s leaking along the pipeline, to the exterior,” Kim said. “Right now, there’s no concern about dam safety at present.”
Kim said the project is budgeted in the city’s long-term capital plan for just under $1.6 million. Construction will take place in 2027 and fully replace and upgrade the outlet pipe.
“We’re going to be replacing that whole outlet structure and providing a new valve system and all of the apparatuses that go along with that outlet structure,” Kim said.
The city has worked with an engineer to determine if the cracked pipe could be replaced without draining the reservoir, Kim said. However, the State of Colorado is requiring the city to fully drain the reservoir to “ensure the structural integrity of the dam can be properly addressed.”
Water inflow to Juniata Reservoir will be shut off beginning this November and is expected to be fully drained by September 2027, according to the city. Kim said the city is working with Clifton Water to provide it with raw water during the draw down to still utilize the water. Clifton will be able to help backfill the reservoir as it refills after the project is completed, she said…Kim said the city is also looking into potentially leasing some of the water during the reservoir’s draw down to agricultural users who may also be able to utilize it. Any un-utilized water from Juniata will be stored at the Purdy Mesa Reservoir, she said. During the drawdown and construction, Kim said the city will still be able to utilize Kannah Creek for its water needs. The city has 17 reservoirs on the Grand Mesa, which flow down Kannah Creek and provide water to the city.
“We have direct flow rights off of Kannah Creek,” Kim said. “So we can continue to divert our direct flow rights from the Kannah Creek to our water treatment plant.”
