On Oct. 23, the American Public Works Association recognized Phase III of the Antero Dam Rehabilitation Project with its “Environment — Large Community” award, honoring outstanding achievement in the environmental field.

APWA recognized the project team for a novel approach that kept the project from disturbing any wetlands or waterways in the area.

The project brought the 108-year-old Antero Dam up to current safety standards, allowing Denver Water to restore water levels to where they were prior to 2011 (when we initially lowered the reservoir by 2 feet to investigate dam conditions).

With the reservoir back to its normal, pre-2011 depth of 18 feet, conditions are better for the fish in the reservoir. The additional depth keeps water temperatures cooler in the summer and helps reduce the risk of fish kill in the winter.

The project began in 2015 and will be complete by the end of 2017.

Anyone who has questions about fishing at Antero can contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-291-7227.