Horsetooth Reservoir
| Horsetooth Reservoir | |
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| Location | Larimer County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 40°33′16″N 105°09′21″W / 40.55436°N 105.15591°WCoordinates: 40°33′16″N 105°09′21″W / 40.55436°N 105.15591°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. depth | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Water volume | 156,735 acre·ft (0.193330 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 5,430 ft (1,660 m) |
Horsetooth Reservoir (often known locally as Horsetooth) is a large reservoir in southern Larimer County, Colorado just west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. The reservoir sits in the foothills above the town on the western side of the Dakota 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 in 1949 by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of its federal Colorado-Big Thompson Project or "C-BT." Water distribution is currently managed by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Bureau of Reclamation . Horsetooth and Carter Lake serve as the two principal containers for water diverted eastward under the continental 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 for irrigation in the South Platte River valley. The reservoir takes its name from Horsetooth Mountain, a summit in the foothills west of the southern end of the reservoir.
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[edit] History
The construction of the reservoir 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 depded in June 2004. The reservoir is located roughly at 40°33′16″N 105°09′21″W / 40.55436°N 105.15591°W
[edit] Recreation & 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 early 1950s.
Recreational boating is popular during summer months and swimming is allowed at the specifically designated Swim Beach maintained by LCPOL as well as in some of the coves. Kayaking and canoeing 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 late 1960s, the sport of bouldering has become an established climbing pastime at the reservoir, the hard Dakota sandstone providing many challenging problems for both American and foreign athletes. However cliff diving is not allowed near the reservoir due to safety concerns. Road cycling around Horsetooth has also become popular as has hiking and mountain 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-owned Lory 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.
[edit] Cliff Jumping
Horsetooth reservoir has numerous spots to go cliff jumping. This is a fun activity, however people get seriously injured every year from jumping off cliffs. If you decide to go anyways there is a cove on the North West side of the reservoir that has multiple sizes of cliffs. This cove is at its prime around mid June into late July because of the water levels. Another fun spot is along the road that runs North by South located on the East side. You should be careful because this spot is right along the road. Be sure to have someone dive down at the landing zone to insure that it is deep enough to land in. Be careful and on the lookout for park rangers who patrol these waters. You will get a ticket ranging from $100 to $200, so watch out!
