During two years, 2001 and 2002, the Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins, Colorado, was drained to just few % of its capacity to allow repairs to the main dam. The 6 mile long lake was reduced to three ponds connected by long narrow channels with some whitewater. The flow was supported by water diverted from the Colorado River within the Big Thompson Project.
Paddling was very interesting, but quite challenging in these narrows channels with a strong current. It was quiet, no motorboats since boat ramps didn’t reach water. Low water uncovered many structures at the lake bottom.
Below you can find 10 selected pictures from these dry years on the Horsetooth. For more pictures and stories visit Mountain Wayfarer: Horsetooth 2001 and Horsetooth 2002. I believe that all pictures were shot with my first digital camera, Canon PowerShot S40.
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2 responses to “Paddling Horsetooth Reservoir (River) 6 Years Ago”
In the fall of 2000 I wrote on my website:
“The reservoir will be drained to 1/3 of its capacity to repair the leaking dams.”
And, pretty soon I got e-mail from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation explaining that:
“Actually, the dams don’t leak. That’s not the problem. The problem is that there is a limestone formation that runs the length of the reservoir and dives underneath Horsetooth Dam on the northern end–and that limestone has been channeling water out under the dam for quite some time”.
I miss horsetooth. Ill have to venture up that way from the big D for a hike here pretty soon.