The U.S. Forest Service will start releasing water from Crystal Reservoir to lessen pressure on the structurally compromised Full Moon Dam, beginning this week.

According to the agency, it will close off public access to the reservoir, and the route across the dam at the north end of the reservoir, as well as a segment of the Hayden Trail and the trail along the eastern side of the reservoir, next to U.S. Highway 550. This closure is currently scheduled to last until June 30.

This image shows the closure area for Crystal Reservoir and the Full Moon Dam, in a map provided by the U.S. Forest Service.

The decision to draw down the reservoir below the face of the dam is based on safety concerns. Inspections of the earthen dam have documented cracks, and officials are reducing the risk of a dam breach by releasing the water in anticipation of spring runoff. The agency said there’s no imminent danger and the plan to release water is a precaution.

Part of the Full Moon Dam was built in the 1800s, and it was rebuilt for safety reasons in 2012. The reservoir holds about 80 acre-feet of water and is about 8 feet deep in the middle.

Crystal Reservoir drains into Red Mountain Creek, which flows into the Uncompahgre River. The Forest Service is concerned about liability stemming from the dam, which has been classified as a high-hazard dam, meaning there could be significant damage downstream if the dam fails.

The Forest Service plans to begin an environmental analysis to look at alternatives to address the situation, including a wide variety of options. This could include everything from transferring the reservoir to another owner to removing the dam and restoring the area.

Last month, a lands and minerals specialist with the U.S. Forest Service told commissioners that the agency has targeted 2027 as the date to implement a plan for addressing the problem with the dam.

“Our thought is to remove the dam,” Lindsey Binder said at the meeting. “There’s a trail across the dam, so we’d have to reroute it or put in a bridge. The long-term plan would be to restore the area to natural wetlands.”

Some local government agencies have expressed concerns about the fate of Crystal Reservoir and have submitted comments indicating they would like to preserve it and be involved in the decision making.