The Big Thompson Dam exists on the Big Thompson River west of Loveland, Colorado. Although "Big Thompson" was its original name, the small diversion dam has since been renamed the "Dille Diverision Dam." The purpose of Dille is to divert water from the Big Thompson River through the foothills less than a mile for delivery into the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal. From there, the water is dropped back to the river via the Big Thompson Power Plant for additional hydro-electric power generation. In all, water diverted at Dille is only "borrowed" from the last mile of the river as it winds down the canyon. What makes Dille unique is that it provides extra flexibility in overall operations of the C-BT project. Project water can be re-routed down the Big Thompson Canyon and captured at Dille to be brought back into the project, if needed.
General
Project
Colorado-Big Thompson
Longitude
-105.14096
Watercourse
Big Thompson River
Original Construction
1950
Base Width
20 ft
Latitude
40.4041
Dimensions
Crest Elevation
5500.0 ft
Hydraulic Height (Normal Operating Depth at Dam)
8 ft
Crest Length
90 ft
Crest Width
20 ft
Volume of Dam Construction Materials
2235 cu yd
Structural Height
35 ft
Hydraulics & Hydrology
Spillway Capacity at Elevation
7000 cfs at 5495.4
Net Generation
8,234,900 kWh
Contact
Owner
Title: Area Office Manager Organization: Eastern Colorado Area Office Address: 11056 W. County Rd 18E City: Loveland, CO 80537-9711 Fax: 970-663-3212 Phone: 970-667-4410
Operator
Title: Area Office Manager Organization: Eastern Colorado Area Office Address: 11056 W. County Rd 18E City: Loveland, CO 80537-9711 Fax: 970-663-3212 Phone: 970-667-4410
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