One of the most striking signs of the low snowpack and drought that has plagued Colorado this year can be found by driving by Green Mountain Reservoir in Grand County. The reservoir, first filled in the 1940s, sits at its lowest level since the 1960s, when it was drained for maintenance work. Low snowpack is driving this summer’s low levels. The reservoir has dropped so far that people can cross it on foot without getting their feet wet. But that’s proving to be a bit of an advantage, as Northern Water is using that low level to make critical repairs to the reservoir that will save both time and money. Notably, the spillway apron for the dam is 80 years old and in need of repair.

Other dam and reservoir news:

• ABC15 (Phoenix): Falling Lake Mead threatens Hoover Dam’s power output
• KRCR (Redding, Calif.): Butte County seeks Oroville Dam compensation, recreation benefits after FERC D.C. meetings
• Active NorCal (Redding, Calif.): Smarter dams could save California $150 million a year, new study finds
• Wyoming Public Media: Jackson Lake marina dries up, dam to hit low levels into fall