BLM protects public lands to support McPhee Dam and Reservoir in Colorado

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – A public land order publishing in tomorrow’s Federal Register withdraws 953 acres of public land from settlement, sale, location, and entry under the general land laws, including the mining laws. It also withdraws 309 acres National Forest System from location and entry under the mining laws. The withdrawal reserves the lands for use by the Bureau of Reclamation in connection with the McPhee Dam and Reservoir Dolores Project for 100 years.

The Dolores Project stores and regulates flow of the Dolores River for irrigation and municipal use through operation of McPhee Reservoir. The project also provides hydroelectric power generation, salinity control, flood control, recreation opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancements. The McPhee Dam and Reservoir was constructed in 1984 as part of the Dolores Project and is operated by the Bureau of Reclamation.

- BLM –