Carter Lake Dam facts for kids
- for the dam in the U.S. state of Georgia, see Carters Dam
The Carter Lake Dam is a large earth-filled wall in Larimer County, Colorado. It helps create the beautiful Carter Lake Reservoir. This dam is an important part of a bigger system that manages water for many people and farms in the area.
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What is the Carter Lake Dam?
The Carter Lake Dam is made mostly of earth and rock. It stands 214 feet tall, which is about as high as a 20-story building! The dam is also very long, stretching 1,235 feet across. It was finished in 1950.
Who Built and Manages the Dam?
The dam was built by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This government agency is in charge of managing water resources in the western United States. They build and operate dams, power plants, and canals. The Carter Lake Dam is owned by this agency. However, it is operated by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. This local group helps make sure water gets to where it's needed.
Why is the Dam Important?
The Carter Lake Dam is a key part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. This huge project moves water from the western side of the Rocky Mountains to the eastern side. The water stored at Carter Lake is used for two main reasons:
- Flood Control: The dam helps prevent floods by holding back extra water during heavy rains or snowmelt.
- Irrigation: It provides water for farms to grow crops, especially in drier times.
The Carter Lake Reservoir is an "offstream" storage area. This means it's not directly on a main river. Instead, water is brought to it through tunnels and canals from other sources.
What Can You Do at Carter Lake?
The reservoir created by the dam is called Carter Lake Reservoir. It's a big lake with a surface area of 1,100 acres. That's like more than 800 football fields! It also has about eight miles of shoreline. There are over 900 acres of public land around the lake for everyone to enjoy.
Carter Lake is a very popular place for outdoor fun. You can enjoy many activities here, including:
- Fishing: The lake is home to many kinds of fish. You might catch rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout, walleye, and more!
- Boating: Many people enjoy boating on the clear waters of the lake.
- Camping: There are places to set up a tent and spend the night under the stars.
- Hiking: You can explore the trails around the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- Hunting: In certain areas and seasons, hunting is also allowed.
