Our History

1971

St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District Founded

The St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District was formed on April 19, 1971, as one of 49 water conservancy districts created under the Water Conservancy Act (Colorado Revised Statutes of 1973, Section 37.45-102 to 152). As a conservancy district, we can engage in a wide range of water issues, including development and management of water projects, water conservation, distribution, water quality protection, flood control, legislation, and education.
1972-1990s

Proposed Reservoirs

In the years following its creation, the District’s primary objectives were to design and construct the proposed Coffintop and Geer Canyon reservoirs. The Geer Canyon project was effectively scrapped in 1999, when the District stopped diligence. Coffintop Reservoir is still a focus of the District; though the final storage design and location may be vastly different from the original storage design and location.
1990s-2000s

Water Augmentation Plan Created and Implemented

In the 1990s and 2000s, the District focused on creating and adjudicating an augmentation plan to provide water to offset otherwise out of priority diversions, which were injuring water rights in the basin. Providing water to others is prescribed by The Water Conservancy Act, which allows conservancy districts to acquire and develop water rights. The District’s augmentation plan provides water supply for its members’ use and protects the river and the senior water rights diverting from it.
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1992

Corridor Committee Formed

In 1992, the District joined the St. Vrain Creek Corridor Committee to address issues relating to water flow in the North St. Vrain Creek. The Committee agreed to a program that increases winter creek flow in the North St. Vrain between Button Rock Dam and Lyons to support trout populations and resulting recreation, fishing and tourism.
2008

Rubicon Gate Built

The District, City of Longmont and Boulder County installed a special gate to regulate flows during times of particularly low flow in St. Vrain Creek. The gates were installed on three diversion structures and completed in partnership with Trout Unlimited. Unfortunately, all three Rubicon gates were heavily damaged or destroyed by the September 2013 Flood and were not rebuilt. The District is actively participating in and leading discussions on new and novel ways to regulate flows.
2013

The 2013 Flood

In September the St. Vrain and Left Hand Valleys were deluged with a flood of water and debris, resulting in millions of dollars of damage and devastation to numerous towns, agricultural lands, and agricultural diversions. The District helped with both short-term recovery and longer-term planning efforts.
2020-Present

The Water Action Plan Approved and Implemented

In 2020, voters approved funding the implementation of the District’s Water Action Plan. The plan concentrates District efforts and resources on key water issues, funding projects that align with five guiding key points. Learn more.
2022

Snowpack Enhancement

In 2022, the District began the first snowpack enhancement, or cloud seeding, program on Colorado’s Front Range. The program seeks to increase the amount of water available to everyone in the St. Vrain and Left Hand Basin.
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2022

Partner Funding Program

In 2022, the District developed its Partner Funding Program to support local projects that align with the District’s 5 Point Water Plan.
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2023

Airborne Snow Measurement Flights

In the spring of 2023, the first Airborne Snow Observation flights collected high resolution snowpack measurements across and entire watershed. These innovative measurements enhance the Districts understanding of snowpack within our District boundaries in real-time allowing the District to use and steward water more efficiently and effectively. Learn More