Project Highlight: Chimney Hollow Reservoir

The Chimney Hollow Reservoir project marked a historic milestone in 2025 as the tallest new dam built in the United States in the past 25 years. Begun in 2021 and completed in December 2025, the project involved an enormous scope, including 14.5 million cubic yards of quarry material, more than two miles of steel pipe, 80,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 512 lifts of asphalt to create the dam’s impermeable barrier. At peak construction, over 500 employees were on-site daily, and safety remained a top priority, with Barnard Construction achieving a TRIR well below industry averages and maintaining a zero-fatality record. These achievements reflect years of careful planning, permitting, and collaboration among 12 Northeastern Colorado water providers to enhance the Windy Gap Project and secure a reliable water supply for future generations.

To help manage and document the project’s massive scale, Barnard Construction incorporated TrueLook Construction Cameras in March 2024. A 4K PTZ camera provided sweeping panoramic views of the reservoir and main dam in crystal-clear quality, allowing teams to monitor construction progress remotely across the sprawling site. The camera’s security recordings, including motion-activated alerts, also helped capture and archive critical activity, ensuring comprehensive documentation and enhancing site safety. By combining high-resolution imagery with actionable security footage, Barnard was able to track key milestones, from final quarry blasts to completion of the main dam, while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards on one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent U.S. history.

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