Chambers Lake (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chambers Lake |
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The lake in summer
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 Chambers Lake
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Larimer County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 40°36′16″N 105°51′12″W / 40.6045224°N 105.8533750°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Etymology | Named for Robert Chambers, a trapper who camped at the site in 1858 |
| Primary inflows | Fall Creek, Skyline Ditch, Joe Wright Creek |
| Primary outflows | Joe Wright Creek |
| Managing agency | The Water Supply and Storage Company |
| Surface area | 255 acres (103 ha) |
| Water volume | 11,350 acre⋅ft (14,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 2,791 m (9,157 ft) |
Chambers Lake is a large reservoir located in Larimer County, Colorado. It sits inside the beautiful Roosevelt National Forest. This lake is very important because it provides water for farms and towns.
The Water Supply and Storage Company owns Chambers Lake. This company is based in Fort Collins. A big part of the company is owned by the city of Thornton. Water from Chambers Lake flows into the Cache la Poudre River. From there, it travels through Poudre Canyon to the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Here, the water is used by many people and farms.
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History of Chambers Lake
The current dam at Chambers Lake is not the first one. Two earlier dams broke in 1891 and 1904. These breaks caused a lot of flooding and damage downstream. The dam we see today was built in 1910. It was later made taller in 1928, reaching a height of 58 feet.
How Chambers Lake Gets Its Water
Chambers Lake gets its water from several creeks. It also receives water from the Skyline Ditch. This ditch was finished in 1894. The Skyline Ditch brings water from the Laramie River. The Laramie River is part of the North Platte River system.
Chambers Lake and its surrounding area are part of the South Platte River system. So, the Skyline Ditch is an early example of an interbasin transfer in Colorado. This means water is moved from one river basin to another.
Fun Things to Do at Chambers Lake
Chambers Lake is a great place for outdoor activities.
Camping at Chambers Lake
The Forest Service manages the Chambers Lake Campground. It is located close to the lake. Because the area is very high up in the mountains, the camping season is short. The campground is usually open from late June to late September.
Fishing at Chambers Lake
The lake is also a popular spot for fishing. Many people enjoy trying to catch fish here.
