Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, furnishes the main water supply for the Poudre Valley. The reservoir is 6.5 miles long, and is formed by four large earthfill dams. Horsetooth Dam closes the northern end of the valley, and Soldier Canyon, Dixon Canyon, and Spring Canyon Dams close the natural outlets eroded through the hogback ridge.Developments include 4 campgrounds, 111 campsites, and 7 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina is located at the Inlet Bay area. Concession operated restaurant (Cordova's Horsetooth Lighthouse, 970-223-3922) is located in the South Bay. A developed public swim beach located on the west side of the lake. NOTE As a result of the Modernization of the Dam project, Reclamation lowered the water at Horsetooth and began modernizing the four dams. The project will be completed in the fall of 2003. Although water levels will be kept high enough to meet irrigation and M&I needs, only limited boating will be available. The swim beach is closed during this project. For updates on ramp conditions, call the Horsetooth Hotline at 970.679.4554. Access good. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,900 surface acres. Primary recreation activities include fishing, power boating, water skiing and camping. Primary sport fish include rainbow trout, crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, wiper, largemouth bass, and walleye. Current Reservoir LevelsColorado State Parks operates a small visitor center at Lory State Park, located next to the north shore of Horsetooth Reservoir.Information about the archaeological mitigation work at the reservoir is available. Mitigation work

Off county road about 5 miles west of Fort Collins.