Lake Isabel (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Isabel |
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The lake and spillway in 2018.
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 Lake Isabel
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Pueblo County and Custer County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37°59′05″N 105°03′09″W / 37.9847°N 105.0526°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Saint Charles River |
| Primary outflows | Saint Charles River, evaporation |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 35.7 acres (14.4 ha) |
| Water volume | 969.8 acre-feet (1,196,200 cubic meters) |
| Surface elevation | 2,585 meters (8,481 feet) |
| Frozen | The lake freezes in winter and ice-fishing is possible. |
Lake Isabel is a beautiful reservoir, which is a man-made lake, located in the San Isabel National Forest in Colorado, United States. It stretches across parts of Pueblo and Custer counties. This lake sits high up in the Wet Mountains, offering great views and outdoor activities.
Lake Isabel is a popular spot for outdoor fun. You can go fishing here all year round, as the lake is regularly stocked with fish by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Other fun things to do include hiking on nearby trails, camping, and even sledding in the winter when the snow falls.
The small community of San Isabel is located on the north side of the lake, within Custer County. The border between Pueblo and Custer counties actually runs through the east side of the lake. This means that most of the dam is in Pueblo County, while the main part of the lake is in Custer County.
How Lake Isabel Was Made
Lake Isabel is not a natural lake; it's a reservoir. This means it was created by building a dam across a river.
Building the Dam
The dam that holds back the water to form Lake Isabel is an earthen dam. It was built in the 1930s. The main reason for building it was to store water. This water was needed for the CF&I Steel plant, which was located in Pueblo.
Lake Isabel Today
Today, the steel plant no longer uses the lake's water. Instead, the lake and the land around it are managed by the United States Forest Service. This area is now known as the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. It's a special place where people can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
