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Sweetwater Authority reduces Loveland Reservoir level, transfers water to Sweetwater Reservoir to preserve supply and avoid costly purchases
Summary
The Sweetwater Authority reported a planned transfer of water from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir initiated March 4 to create runoff capacity at Loveland, increase stored supply at Sweetwater and avoid an estimated $7.5 million in outside water purchases; board members discussed volumes, timing and local firefighting concerns.
The Sweetwater Authority said it began transferring water from Loveland Reservoir to Sweetwater Reservoir on March 4 to reduce the volume at Loveland and create capacity to handle runoff from recent storms while increasing stored supply at Sweetwater Reservoir.
The move, described by the board during the March 12 meeting, was intended to reduce the risk of spill at Loveland and to increase locally available supply for customers through 2025. In a summary provided to the board, the authority said Loveland held approximately 24,500 acre-feet on March 4 and planned to transfer about 7,000 acre-feet, dropping Loveland from an estimated 95% full to about 70% (approximately 17,500 acre-feet). The authority estimated this transfer could avoid roughly $7,500,000 in purchases from the County Water Authority (name not specified in the meeting materials).
At the meeting General Manager Carlos Quintero provided an updated snapshot of storage and runoff: Loveland was reported at about 81% capacity (about 20,600 acre-feet) and Sweetwater Reservoir had increased from about 11,200 acre-feet to roughly 12,970 acre-feet. The board was told the discharge valve at Loveland Dam was expected to be closed around Monday, March 17, concluding the transfer action described earlier.
Directors asked questions about the hydrologic outlook and community concerns. Director Cox asked about precipitation expectations; staff cited National Weather Service forecasts for the coming storm (local forecasts were described as roughly 2 to 2.5 inches in areas near the mountains for the next storm, and an annual expectation still below average). Board members and staff also addressed concerns raised by Loveland-Alpine residents about maintaining water for firefighting. The general manager said the authority coordinates with CAL FIRE and that, operationally, helicopters and other aerial resources can use multiple water sources; staff explained the magnitude difference between helicopter loads and acre-feet of reservoir storage to provide perspective.
Board materials included both the March 4 pre-transfer figures and the March 12 operational update; the board did not receive or take public comments on this agenda item. The board moved on to other business after clarifying timing and the authority's coordination with fire agencies.
The authority framed the transfer as an operational step to maximize local water sources and reduce near-term purchases while providing capacity for runoff during a stormy period.
