Lake Nighthorse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Nighthorse |
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The lake viewed from the overlook on County Road 210.
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 Lake Nighthorse
Location in Colorado
Lake Nighthorse
Location in the United States
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| Location | Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37°13′29.99″N 107°54′53.16″W / 37.2249972°N 107.9147667°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Durango Pumping Plant (Animas River) |
| Primary outflows | Basin Creek (Outflow returns to the Animas River) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,490 acres (600 ha) |
| Water volume | 120,000 acre-feet (150,000,000 m3) |
Lake Nighthorse is a large, man-made lake near Durango in La Plata County, Colorado. It was created by building a dam, called the Ridges Basin Dam, which is about 270 feet (82 m) tall. This lake is an important part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project. Its main job is to store water for different groups, including local tribes and people who have water rights along the Animas River.
How Lake Nighthorse Was Built
The idea for the Animas-La Plata Water Project, which includes Lake Nighthorse, first came from the U.S. Congress in 1968. However, it took many years for the project to actually start. There were several reasons for these delays.
People had different ideas about how the project should work. There were also concerns about how it would affect local farms and the environment. Money was another big issue, as the project was very expensive.
A major step forward happened in 2000 with new laws called the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments. These laws helped clear the way for the project to begin.
The Bureau of Reclamation, a government agency that builds water projects, started construction in 2003. The lake was completely filled with water by June 29, 2011. The total cost to build Lake Nighthorse was around $500 million.
The lake is named after Ben Nighthorse Campbell. He was a United States Senator from Colorado. The area where Lake Nighthorse now sits used to be an important archaeological site called Sacred Ridge. This site had evidence of ancient communities.
Fun Activities at Lake Nighthorse
Lake Nighthorse opened for public fun on April 1, 2018. It's a great spot for many outdoor activities. You can go fishing, boating, and enjoy other water sports.
The lake has been stocked with different types of fish. You can find kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout here. It's a popular place for people who love to fish.
