CCP will use the Bureau of Reclamation’s existing Taylor Park and Blue Mesa Reservoirs as lower pools for both filling and reversible pumped-storage peaking power generation. The reservoir will be filled during heavy spring runoff months, when surplus water and hydropower are available for low cost pumping into high altitude storage.
When the much stronger Union Park Dam and larger Union Park Pumped Storage Facility is completed, the flood and earthquake risk to 67 year-old Taylor Park Dam would be greatly reduced. The operating pool levels of Taylor Park and Pueblo Reservoirs could be maintained to minimize the flood and earthquake risk to both structures. In addition, Union Park Reservoir can safely store the Upper Gunnison’s 60,000 acre-foot share of the unused Aspinall Pool to comprise four years of drought protection for Gunnison irrigated farms, ranches, and recreation needs.
These conserved Colorado headwaters will then be available for multi-year droughts, when and where needed, throughout the state. An objective benefit-cost evaluation would quickly reveal that CCP’s peaking power revenues would cover most of its projected construction and operating costs.
Location map – Click image for expanded view
Reports and Documents
Feasibility Level Geological and Geotechnical Investigation for Union Park Dam Reports:
Siting of Potential Locations for New Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) Projects
U.S. Patent 7,866,919 B2