Ruedi Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruedi Reservoir |
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Looking eastward, upstream, on the Fryingpan River to Ruedi Dam and Reservoir
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 Ruedi Reservoir
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Pitkin and Eagle counties |
| Coordinates | 39°21′47″N 106°47′05″W / 39.36306°N 106.78472°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Part of | Colorado River Basin |
| Primary inflows | Fryingpan River |
| Primary outflows | Fryingpan River |
| Managing agency | United States Bureau of Reclamation |
| Built | 1968 |
| Surface area | 997 acres (403 ha) |
| Water volume | 101,280 acre⋅ft (124,930,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 2,369 m (7,772 ft) |
Ruedi Reservoir is a large lake created by a dam on the Fryingpan River in Colorado. It's located on the western side of the Continental Divide, which is the main ridge of the Rocky Mountains. The reservoir is about 15 miles (24 km) from the town of Basalt, Colorado, which is near Aspen.
This reservoir is found within the White River National Forest. It also sits across the border of two counties: Pitkin County and Eagle County.
Contents
Building Ruedi Dam and Reservoir
The Ruedi Reservoir and its dam were built between 1964 and 1968. Both are owned and managed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This is a government agency that builds and operates water projects.
Why Was Ruedi Reservoir Built?
One main reason for building Ruedi Reservoir was to help balance water use in Colorado. Water is sometimes moved from the Fryingpan River basin to Colorado's eastern side. This happens as part of a big project called the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Ruedi Reservoir helps make sure there's still enough water for the western side of Colorado. It provides water for cities, industries, and farms in the area. The dam itself is located in Eagle County.
Ruedi Reservoir can hold about 102,000 acre-feet of water. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. Water from the reservoir is released through the dam and flows down the Fryingpan River. This water is used by towns, businesses, and farms.
Fun Things to Do at Ruedi Reservoir
Besides providing water, Ruedi Reservoir is also a popular spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy boating, fishing, and camping there. The part of the Fryingpan River below the dam is famous for its fishing. It's known as a "Gold Medal fishery," which means it has excellent fishing, especially for trout.
The amount of water released from Ruedi Dam changes throughout the year. This usually follows the seasons. You can find up-to-date information about the water flow on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) website.
Making Electricity at Ruedi
There is a power plant at the base of the Ruedi Dam. This plant uses the force of the water to create electricity. It can produce 5.0 megawatts of power. The plant was built in 1985 and provides electricity to the City of Aspen. The city also owns this power plant.
