Horsetooth Reservoir
Encyclopedia
Horsetooth Reservoir 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.
. 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 156735 acre.ft, a total shoreline of 25 miles (40 km), and a maximum depded in June 2004. The reservoir is located roughly at 40.55436°N 105.15591°W
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.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in southern Larimer County, Colorado
Larimer County, Colorado
Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming...
just west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
. The reservoir sits in the foothills above the town on the western side of the Dakota Hogback
Dakota Hogback
The Dakota Hogback is a long hogback ridge at the eastern fringe of the Rocky Mountains that extends north-south from southern Wyoming through Colorado and into northern New Mexico in the United States. The ridge is prominently visible as the first line of foothills along the edge of the Great Plains...
, 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
Colorado-Big Thompson project
The Colorado-Big Thompson Project is a water diversion project in Colorado designed to collect West Slope mountain water from the headwaters of the Colorado River and divert it to Colorado's Front Range and plains...
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
Continental divide
A continental divide is a drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea, or else is endorheic, not connected to the open sea...
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
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
in the South Platte River
South Platte River
The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska...
valley. The reservoir takes its name from Horsetooth Mountain
Horsetooth Mountain
Horsetooth Mountain is a mountain in the foothills of the Front Range west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, from which it is easily visible.The mountain is easily distinguishable by the large rock formation on its summit known as Horsetooth Rock...
, a summit in the foothills west of the southern end of the reservoir.
History
The construction of the reservoir inundated the community of StoutStout, Colorado
Stout is a former town in southern Larimer County, Colorado in the United States. The town was located in foothills southwest of Fort Collins, just west of the Dakota Hogback. It was established in the 1880s as a camp for workers at the nearby stone quarries in the area...
. 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 156735 acre.ft, a total shoreline of 25 miles (40 km), and a maximum depded in June 2004. The reservoir is located roughly at 40.55436°N 105.15591°W
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
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
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
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
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
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
has become an established climbing
Climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands and feet to ascend a steep object. It is done both for recreation and professionally, as part of activities such as maintenance of a structure, or military operations.Climbing activities include:* Bouldering: Ascending boulders or small...
pastime at the reservoir, the hard Dakota sandstone providing many challenging problems for both American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and foreign athletes. However cliff diving
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
is not allowed near the reservoir due to safety concerns. Road cycling
Road cycling
Road cycling is the most widespread form of cycling. It includes recreational, racing, and utility cycling. Road cyclists are generally expected to obey the same rules and laws as other vehicle drivers or riders and may also be vehicular cyclists....
around Horsetooth has also become popular as has hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, 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
Lory State Park
Lory State Park, is a Colorado state park that features mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding....
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.