- Horsetooth Reservoir
Infobox lake
lake_name = Horsetooth Reservoir
image_lake = HorsetoothReservoir.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location =Larimer County, Colorado
coords = coord|40.55436|-105.15591|region:US-CO_type:waterbody|format=dms|display=inline,title
type =reservoir
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area =
depth =
max-depth = convert|200|ft|abbr=on
volume = convert|156735|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|5430|ft|abbr=on
islands =
cities =
frozen =Horsetooth Reservoir (often known locally as Horsetooth) is a large
reservoir in southernLarimer County, Colorado just west of the city ofFort Collins, Colorado . The reservoir sits in the foothills above the town on the western side of theDakota Hogback , which contains the reservoir along its eastern side. The reservoir runs north-south for approximately 6.5 miles (10 km), and is approximately one-half mile (1 km) wide. The reservoir was constructed in1949 by theBureau of Reclamation as part of its federalColorado-Big Thompson Project or "C-BT." Water distribution is currently managed by theNorthern Colorado Water Conservancy District andBureau of Reclamation . Horsetooth and Carter Lake serve as the two principal containers for water diverted eastward under thecontinental divide via the C-BT. The reservoir is a supplementary source of municipal water for Fort Collins and other communities in the region, as well as forirrigation in theSouth Platte River valley. The reservoir takes its name fromHorsetooth Mountain , a summit in the foothills west of the southern end of the reservoir.Description
The reservoir is formed by four separate dams, three of which (Spring Canyon Dam, Dixon Canyon Dam, Soldier Canyon Dam) are located at canyon openings in the hogback west of Fort Collins, along the east side of the reservoir. The fourth (Horsetooth Dam), is located at the north end of the reservoir in a narrows at the southern end of Pleasant Valley south of the community of Bellvue. The reservoir is filled via the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal which runs thirteen miles from Flatiron Reservoir southwest of Loveland. The construction of the dams inundated the community of Stout. Prior to construction, the majority of the town moved to a location that today surrounds Horsetooth's South Bay, but a few building foundations, including that of the old school house, are now under water. The reservoir has a capacity of 156,735
acre feet (193,330,000 m³), a total shoreline of 25 miles (40 km), and a maximum depth of 200 feet. The total cost of construction was 12.5 millionUSD . The all-time high-water level of the reservoir was 5,430 feet (1,654.88 m) above sea level (its total storage capacity), recorded in June 2004. The reservoir is located roughly at coord|40.55436|-105.15591|region:US-CO_type:waterbodyRecreation & Conservation
The reservoir is a popular recreation destination for the region. According to a recent study conducted by Reclamation and the recreation manager at Horsetooth,
Larimer County Parks and Open Lands , approximately 570,000 visitors come to Horsetooth every year. Larimer County has provided recreation management at Horsetooth, and three other C-BT reservoirs, since they opened in the early1950s .Recreational
boating is popular during summer months andswimming is allowed at the specifically designated Swim Beach maintained by LCPOL as well as in some of the coves. Kayaking and canoing is also popular.Fishing is also highly popular from boats or from shore, but is no longer allowed from the dams due to security concerns. Since the late1960 s, the sport ofbouldering has become an establishedclimbing pastime at the reservoir, the hard Dakota sandstone providing many challenging problems for both American and foreign athletes.Road cycling around Horsetooth has also become popular as hashiking andmountain biking , particularly along the Foothills Trail that traverses the reservoir's eastern edge. The City of Fort Collins maintains several open spaces directly below the reservoir and the State-ownedLory State Park is along the reservoir's northwestern shore.Other ridge lines surrounding the reservoir have become the site of residential development in recent decades, with structures ranging from get-away-cabins to luxury homes, prompting anger among some locals, as well as land conservation efforts by the city and county.
External links
* [http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/cbt.html Reclamation's Colorado-Big Thompson Project]
* [http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/co01659.htm Horsetooth Dam]
* [http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_htoothr.pl Current reservoir water levels]
* [http://www.ncwcd.org/project_features/Horsetooth_by_numbers.asp NCWCD: Horsetooth by the numbers]
* [http://www.fishexplorer.com/fx/lakedet.asp?lid=2123 Horsetooth conditions and fishing reports]
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