Morrow Point Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morrow Point Reservoir |
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The reservoir, frozen over in winter, as seen from Hermit's Rest
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 Morrow Point Reservoir
Location in Colorado
Morrow Point Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gunnison and Montrose Counties, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38°27′06″N 107°32′14″W / 38.45165°N 107.53728°W |
| Type | Hydroelectric Reservoir |
| Part of | Wayne N. Aspinall Storage Unit (Bureau of Reclamation) |
| Primary inflows | Gunnison River, Curecanti Creek, Blue Creek |
| Managing agency | Curecanti National Recreation Area (National Park Service) |
| First flooded | 1968 |
| Max. length | 12 miles (19 km) |
| Surface area | 817 acres (331 ha) |
| Water volume | 117,190 acre-feet (144.55 GL) |
| Surface elevation | 7,160 feet (2,180 m) |
| Settlements | Gunnison, Colorado; Montrose, Colorado |
Morrow Point Reservoir is a large, man-made lake in western Colorado. It was created in 1968 on the Gunnison River by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This reservoir helps generate electricity, save water, and offers fun outdoor activities.
The lake is located in the upper Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The National Park Service manages Morrow Point Reservoir as part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. A famous landmark, the Curecanti Needle, a tall granite spire, stands on the lake's southern shore.
Building the Reservoir
Morrow Point Reservoir is part of a bigger project called the Wayne N. Aspinall Unit. This project, run by the Bureau of Reclamation, helps store water from the Colorado River and its smaller rivers, like the Gunnison. This stored water is used for farming and by cities.
Morrow Point is the second of three reservoirs in the Aspinall Unit. It sits between the larger Blue Mesa Reservoir to the east and the more distant Crystal Reservoir to the west. Morrow Point Reservoir was formed when the Gunnison River was blocked by the Morrow Point Dam.
The Morrow Point Dam is a huge concrete dam, 486 feet tall. It was finished in 1968 and was the first of its kind built by the Bureau of Reclamation.
The Famous Curecanti Needle
One of the most amazing sights at Morrow Point is the Curecanti Needle. This striking granite rock formation is about 700 feet tall and stands on the lake's southern shore. It's located near where Blue Creek and Curecanti Creek meet the reservoir.
For many years, the Needle was a well-known landmark for people traveling by train. Trains on the Denver & Rio Grande Western's Black Canyon route passed right by it. Even though it's hard to get to, the Needle is popular with rock climbers. They often need a boat or have to cross the frozen lake in winter to reach its base.
Fun Things to Do
Morrow Point Reservoir is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. This area is managed by the National Park Service and offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. You can go boating (only small, hand-carried boats are allowed), camping, and hiking.
There are three main spots where you can access the lake:
- Pine Creek Trailhead: This spot is about 1 mile west of Blue Mesa Dam. It has 232 steps that lead down 180 feet to the water. From here, you can launch small boats. There are also several campsites along the north and south shores that you can reach by boat. The Pine Creek Trail is a 2-mile round trip hike that follows an old railroad path. If you want to camp by boat, you'll need a special permit from the Pine Creek Trailhead.
- Pioneer Point Overlook: Located north of the reservoir, about 5.5 miles west of Blue Mesa Dam, this spot offers amazing views. It's also the start of the Curecanti Creek Trail. This trail is 4 miles round trip and has a big elevation change of 900 feet. Hikers are rewarded with stunning views of the Curecanti Needle. At the end of the trail, there are two campsites with picnic tables and fire pits.
- Hermit's Rest Trailhead: This trailhead is about 17 miles west of Blue Mesa Dam. It leads to the Hermit's Rest Trail, which is a challenging 6-mile round trip hike. The trail has an 1800-foot elevation change. At the end of the trail, you'll find picnic spots by the lake and two campsites with picnic tables and fire pits.
