Vallecito Dam facts for kids
The Vallecito Dam is a large dam located in La Plata County, Colorado. It's just a short drive northeast of the city of Durango. This important dam helps manage water in the area and creates a beautiful lake for everyone to enjoy.
Building the Big Dam
The Vallecito Dam was built a long time ago, in 1940. Before the dam could be built, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped clear trees from the area. The CCC was a special program that gave jobs to young men during a tough time in history.
The dam itself was constructed by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This government agency builds and manages water projects. Vallecito Dam is an "earthen dam," meaning it's made mostly of earth, rock, and clay. It stands about 162 feet tall, which is like a 16-story building! It's also very long, stretching over 4,000 feet across the land.
The main reason for building the dam was to hold back the Los Pinos River. This creates a large lake that stores water. This stored water is super important for local farms, helping them grow crops by providing water for irrigation.
Vallecito Lake: A Fun Place!
The huge lake created by the dam is called Vallecito Reservoir, but most people just call it Vallecito Lake. It's a big lake, covering about 4.3 square miles of water. That's a lot of space for water! The lake can hold a massive amount of water, over 125,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with one foot of water.
Vallecito Lake is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures. You can go fishing for different kinds of fish, or enjoy boating on the calm waters. Many people love to go camping near the lake, spending nights under the stars. There are also great trails for hiking, letting you explore the beautiful nature around the lake. Some people even go hunting in the nearby areas.
Who Manages the Dam?
The Vallecito Dam is owned by the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the same agency that built it. However, the day-to-day operations of the dam are handled by a local group called the Pine River Irrigation District. They make sure the dam works properly and that water is delivered to the farms when needed.
