Public Service Company of Colorado Submits Annual Consultation Meeting Report for Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) detailing the annual consultation meeting with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for the Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Project. The meeting was held on April 14, 2025, in a virtual format, and was attended by representatives from PSCo and USFS. The purpose of the meeting was to satisfy USFS Condition No. 4, which requires PSCo to consult with the Forest Service each year to ensure protection and development of the natural resource values of the project area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Project, located on South Clear Creek, near Georgetown, in Clear Creek County, Colorado, requires annual consultation with the USFS to ensure protection and development of the natural resource values of the project area.
  • The annual consultation meeting for 2025 was held on April 14, 2025, in a virtual format, and was attended by representatives from PSCo and USFS.
  • The meeting summary report includes discussion on various projects and activities planned for the project area, including:

+ Unit upgrades & upper reservoir increase: completed in 2024, with plans to fill the upper reservoir.

+ Seepage weir wall replacement: completed in 2024, with restoration of the area completed as described above.

+ Completed 2024 field investigations, including:

- Toe drains replacement: construction planned for 2026.

- Auxiliary spillway LR improvements: engineering planned for 2026, construction planned for 2027.

- Emergency spillway replacement for UR: engineering planned for 2027, construction planned for 2028.

- Upper reservoir dam facing repair: options analysis in progress.

- Field exploration at powerhouse: drilling planned for 2025.

+ Boreal toad habitat improvement project: planned for late fall 2025.

+ Water quality: no progress reported, with plans to move forward on closing out the WQAMP by scheduling a meeting with the WQCD, USFS, and CPW.

+ On-site wastewater treatment system replacement: site investigation and engineering has started, with work planned to occur once all permits are received.

+ New buildings: evaluation of options, with plans to install in 2026 or 2027.

  • The meeting summary report also includes updates from USFS, including discussions on traffic patterns on Guanella Pass Road during the fall.

Statistics:

  • The Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Project is located on South Clear Creek, near Georgetown, in Clear Creek County, Colorado.
  • The project area requires annual consultation with the USFS to ensure protection and development of the natural resource values of the project area.
  • The annual consultation meeting for 2025 was held on April 14, 2025, in a virtual format.
  • The meeting summary report includes discussion on various projects and activities planned for the project area, including:

+ Unit upgrades & upper reservoir increase: completed in 2024.

+ Seepage weir wall replacement: completed in 2024.

+ Completed 2024 field investigations:

- 6 borings or less planned for 2026.

- Some investigations will be converted to piezometers to monitor groundwater in the foundation of the dam.

+ Boreal toad habitat improvement project: planned for late fall 2025.

+ Water quality: no progress reported.

+ On-site wastewater treatment system replacement: site investigation and engineering has started.

+ New buildings: evaluation of options, with plans to install in 2026 or 2027.

Sources:

  • Public Service Company of Colorado. (2025). Cabin Creek Hydro-USFS FERC License Annual Consultation April 14, 2025; 2 p.m., Teams Meeting Meeting Summary.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (n.d.). Cabin Creek Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2351).