Where Does Denver Water Come From?

Watershed An area from which all surface water drains into a river system or a lake.

Continental Divide The imaginary line along the ridge (highest points) of the Rocky Mountains that separates the watershed that flow west toward the Pacific Ocean from those that drain into the Atlantic Ocean

Mother of All Rivers A nickname for Colorado because it is the state where four major rivers are born (headwaters): Colorado River, Platte River, Arkansas River, and Rio Grande

Two Main collection systems for Denver South Platte Collection System – largest of the two collection systems. Streams flow into Dillon Reservoir and to the South Platte River. Moffat Collection System – Collects snow from highest peaks in Colorado.

Tributaries Streams or rivers that flow into a larger one.

Reservoirs Bodies of water collected and stored in a natural or artificial lake for future use.

Potable Water Storage Water that does not contain pollution, contamination, objectionable minerals; etc. safe to drink. One of the most expensive things to do is making sure these pipelines are fixed and working.

Whose Water is It? Pioneers staked a claim to water. That means they have the right to the water. Water Rights means that people who were there first, get to claim the water. They have seniority, and all others must ask them if they can use the water.

Denver Water Denver Water does not sell its water to others. It uses its water for its customers and for future use. Not all water that comes through the watersheds stays with Denver, as other cities have staked claim to water too!