When people ask where their water comes from, the answer usually starts with a river or a reservoir. But for Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD), our story combines a number of sources. While the majority of our water comes from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, we work hard to diversify our sources so that we aren’t relying too heavily on a single source.
We want to highlight one source in particular that perhaps doesn’t receive enough attention: the water we acquire from the Divide Canal and Reservoir Company (DCRC) via the Worster (Eaton) Reservoir. This water originates in the mountains northwest of Red Feather Lakes, where snow, weather and decisions made more than a century ago still shape our water supply today.
Understanding where our water comes from helps explain why winter weather matters so much, why snowpack alone doesn’t tell the whole story and how the District plans for a reliable water future in a changing climate.
TL;DR Summary
- FCLWD gets our water from diverse sources, including the Divide Canal and Reservoir Company that grew from water infrastructure developed over 100 years ago.
- Snowfall isn’t the only thing that impacts water supply in the summer. A stark comparison over just a few days at Worster Reservoir demonstrates how warm and windy conditions cause snow to quickly melt and evaporate.
- Having water rights and storage in different locations allows the District to respond to variability in snowpack and weather patterns across the watershed, helping us accomplish our mission of providing reliable water.
A Mountain Reservoir With a Long History
One of the places our water comes from is Worster Reservoir, located high in the mountains northwest of Red Feather Lakes. The reservoir sits near the top of the watershed, which means it captures snowmelt and runoff early in the water’s journey.
Several small mountain drainages feed the reservoir, including Deadman Creek, Sand Creek, Sheep Creek and Cow Creek. By intercepting water from multiple streams, the system was designed to be more resilient — if one drainage has a lighter snow year, others may help make up the difference.
This idea wasn’t new or modern when it was built. In fact, Worster Reservoir dates back to the early 1900s. One of the early settlers in the area, Appleton Worster, originally identified the location as an ideal place for a reservoir. While he didn’t have the resources to build it himself, the idea lived on.
Later, Colorado Governor Benjamin Eaton helped bring funding, engineering and crews together to construct the reservoir and put it into operation. In recognition of his role, the reservoir also became known as Eaton Reservoir. More than a century later, the infrastructure built by these early water pioneers still plays a role in supplying water across northern Colorado.
Why Snowpack Is Only Part of the Story
It’s easy to think that a snowy winter automatically means a good water year, but the reality is more complex. Snowpack matters, but so does temperature, wind and timing. Cold temperatures help preserve snow and allow ice to form on reservoirs, which reduces evaporation. Warmer, windier conditions can cause water loss, even when precipitation occurs.
For example, in late December, Worster Reservoir may show solid snow cover across the surrounding landscape. A few days later, warmer temperatures can melt that snow into the reservoir. The snowmelt is good, but once it’s melted, there is an increase in evaporation from the ground and the water surface. Without a solid ice cover, more water can be lost before it’s ever used.
That’s why water managers watch more than just snowfall totals. How cold it stays, how quickly snow melts and how long water can be stored all affect the final amount available for use.
Trading Mountain Water for Water Closer to Home
Once water is stored in Worster Reservoir, it doesn’t flow directly to customers’ taps. Instead, the District uses a system called a water exchange. Here’s what that means in simple terms:
Water released from Worster Reservoir flows into Sheep Creek and then into the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River. Rather than physically moving that water all the way downstream to our treatment plant, the District exchanges it with another water company.
Through this exchange, FCLWD receives an equal amount of Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) water stored in Horsetooth Reservoir, which sits right next to our Soldier Canyon Treatment Plant.
In short, we collect water high in the mountains and trade it so we can use water that’s already close to where our customers live. This approach is more efficient, reduces losses and allows us to treat and deliver water reliably.
Why This System Still Matters Today
The fact that Worster Reservoir was designed to intercept water from multiple mountain drainages more than a century ago is one reason it remains valuable today. Colorado’s water system is complex, and flexibility matters. Having water rights and storage in different locations allows the District to respond to variability in snowpack and weather patterns across the watershed.
While water sales and exchanges have changed how water moves through the system over time, the underlying idea remains the same: use infrastructure and water rights strategically to make the most beneficial use of every drop.
What This Means for Customers
For customers, this behind-the-scenes system means greater reliability and resilience. It means your water supply doesn’t depend on a single storm, a single stream or a single reservoir. It means the District can plan for dry years, warm winters and changing conditions by relying on a diverse portfolio of water sources.
Most days, you won’t notice this complexity, and that’s the point. The goal is simple, even if the system isn’t: deliver safe, reliable water to your home or business year-round. The next time you hear about snowpack levels or see winter temperatures swing up and down, you’ll know there’s a direct connection between those mountain conditions and the water that eventually flows from your tap.
