Denver Water officials said this week that Dillon Reservoir water storage is slightly above average for this time of year.

Going into the winter with a slight cushion helps ensure the reservoir will refill fully next spring, said Bob Peters, a water resource manager with Denver Water.

In one of its regular updates on reservoir operations, Denver Water outlined dry, normal and wet scenarios. Even with a drier-than-average winter, the reservoir is likely to fill.

“We're going into the winter with pretty good carry over,” Peters said.

Peters said water levels stayed high throughout the summer because cool, rainy conditions along the Front Range dampened demand.

As usual, the reservoir will be drawn down slightly during the winter, partly to meet demand and balance the levels in various reservoirs in the Denver Water system.

Additionally, Peters said federal regulations require Denver Water to lower the level of the reservoir to a certain distance below the glory hole, as the overflow drain near the dam is called.

— Bob Berwyn