Wolford Mountain Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wolford Mountain Reservoir |
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A view of the entrance to the recreation area, showing the reservoir, still frozen
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 Wolford Mountain Reservoir
Location in Colorado
Wolford Mountain Reservoir
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 40°06′47″N 106°24′53″W / 40.11306°N 106.41472°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Muddy Creek |
| Managing agency | Colorado River District |
| Surface area | 1,550 acres (630 ha) |
| Water volume | 66,000 acre⋅ft (81,000,000 m3) |
| Surface elevation | 2,257 m (7,405 ft) |
Wolford Mountain Reservoir is a large, human-made lake in Grand County, Colorado. It was built to store water and is an important part of the Colorado River water system. The reservoir was finished in 1996.
This reservoir and its dam are part of the Wolford Mountain Recreation Area. The Colorado River District helps manage this area. They are based in Glenwood Springs. The reservoir holds back the waters of Muddy Creek.
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Fun Activities at Wolford Mountain Reservoir
The Wolford Mountain Recreation Area is a great place to visit! It offers many fun activities for families and friends. You can enjoy fishing in the lake or in the stream below the dam.
Fishing and Boating
The reservoir is filled with fish like trout and kokanee salmon. You can rent boats to explore the water. There are also special ramps to launch your own boat. Below the dam, the Muddy Creek offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. This area is open to everyone.
Camping and Picnics
If you love the outdoors, you can stay at one of the 48 campsites. There are also picnic areas where you can enjoy a meal with a view. It's a perfect spot for a day trip or a longer adventure.
About the Wolford Mountain Dam
The dam that creates Wolford Mountain Reservoir is called the Ritschard Dam. It is very tall, about 122 feet high, and very wide, stretching 1,910 feet across. Dams like this are important for managing water.
Engineers regularly check the dam to make sure it is safe. In 2015, they noticed some small shifts in the dam's structure. However, after careful study in 2016, experts confirmed that the dam is strong and safe. It does not need any major repairs.
