Williams Fork Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Williams Fork Reservoir |
|
|---|---|
The reservoir in 2016.
|
|
 Williams Fork Reservoir
Location in Colorado
Williams Fork Reservoir
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Grand County, Colorado, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°00′55″N 106°12′37″W / 40.01528°N 106.21028°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 7,811 ft (2,381 m) |
Williams Fork Reservoir is a large lake in Grand County, Colorado. It is located near the town of Parshall. This important reservoir is owned and managed by Denver Water. It holds water from the Williams Fork of the Colorado River.
About the Reservoir
Williams Fork Reservoir is a big man-made lake. When it is completely full, the water surface is 7,811 feet (about 2,381 meters) above sea level. The shoreline of the reservoir stretches for about 15.8 miles (25.4 kilometers). The total surface area of the water is 1,860 acres.
Williams Fork Dam and Power Plant
The Williams Fork Dam and Power Plant were finished in 1959. This dam is a concrete structure. It stands 217 feet (66 meters) tall. The top of the dam is 600 feet (183 meters) long.
The dam creates the reservoir, holding back a lot of water. The reservoir can store about 97,000 acre-feet of water. One acre-foot is a huge amount, equal to 325,851 gallons!
The power plant uses the water to make electricity. It has a generator that can produce 3,158 kilowatts of power. This electricity and water are sent to the Western Slope and the Denver area in Colorado.
Fun Activities at the Reservoir
Williams Fork Reservoir is a great place for outdoor fun! Many people enjoy water activities here. You can go motor boating on the lake. Fishing is also very popular. The Colorado Division of Wildlife regularly adds fish to the lake.
In winter, when the lake freezes, ice fishing is a favorite activity. Windsurfing is another exciting sport you can try. If you like camping, there are places for tents, trailers, and RVs. You can also find picnic spots to enjoy a meal outdoors.
