The Castle Pines North Metro District is working to create an integrated water resources plan that includes renewable water resources that will ensure a long-term sustainable water supply for our future.

Now, Castle Pines North will be participating in a new water storage project right in our own backyard. Rueter-Hess, a new reservoir expected to be larger than the Cherry Creek Reservoir, will be located immediately northeast of the CPN I-25 interchange (see map on page xx).

The reservoir and surrounding area will cover more land than all of Castle Pines North, guaranteeing open space for much of the land to our northeast. The plans also call for recreation including parks, trails, fishing and non-motorized boats. Recreation users should expect water levels to fluctuate, because priority will be given to managing the reservoir for water storage.

The reservoir was originally designed to store water for the Parker Water and Sanitation District. Now, Castle Pines North, Castle Rock, and other water districts throughout Douglas County are contracting with Parker to purchase additional storage in the reservoir. Rueter-Hess, as currently designed and permitted, will contain 16,500 acre-feet of water; however, plans are underway to expand the reservoir to hold up to 70,000 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot provides two families with water for one year.

On Monday, May 16, the CPN Metro District board of directors voted to become a partner of the Rueter-Hess project. The District has been discussing the option of participating in the project for several months, and is currently in the process of evaluating the amount of space they would contract for as part of their overall water supply strategy.

“You can actually see the Metro District office from the reservoir site,” said Metro District Manager Jim McGrady. “It is very exciting to see bulldozers, trucks and cranes building this reservoir which will begin to address Douglas County’s future water needs.”

According to McGrady, Parker Water and Sanitation District Manager Frank Jaeger has worked on this project for more than 20 years. “Frank has done a fantastic job with this project and we look forward to being a part of this exciting project,” said McGrady.

The first federally approved off-stream reservoir on the Front Range in more than 20 years, Rueter-Hess will be used for daily water needs and will help extend the life of underground aquifers. Construction the project has begun, and the reservoir is expected to be completed in 2010.

During the next several months, watch for more details about Rueter-Hess and the Metro District’s water resources planning in community-wide e-mails, public meetings, publications and at www.cpnmd.org. For additional information, please contact Metro District Manager, James McGrady.