Aiming High: How Raising a Denver Dam Lifts Water Security for 1.5 Million People

The sunshine. The Rockies. The active outdoor lifestyle. The Denver area has many draws - and one big drawback: water security.

Dry spells and variable snowfall - exacerbated by drought, climate variability and rising demand - make water a precious commodity. Ensuring a reliable water supply is a shared challenge for millions across Colorado's urban corridor known as the Front Range.

"We are in the arid west and want to make sure that our communities stay vibrant," said Jeff Martin, gross reservoir expansion program manager at Denver Water. "We are seeing the uncertainties of climate change right now in the form of more frequent, extreme droughts and precipitation events."

The Gross Reservoir Dam Expansion project is rising to meet this challenge - literally. By increasing the height, length and thickness of the dam, Denver Water is significantly upping its storage capacity. When complete, this will be the tallest dam in Colorado.

To reach the project's ambitions, Denver Water chose Kiewit-Barnard Joint Venture as the general contractor. Myriad tests later, Amrize was selected to supply the cement, based on product performance and reliable supply capabilities.