Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa Reservoir is an artificial lake in Gunnison County, Colorado, formed by a dam on the Gunnison River and surrounded by high desert mountains. The water body stretches roughly 20 miles (32 km) through a rocky canyon with several coves and shoreline sections accessible by road.

The dam was built in the mid-1960s as part of a broader water management program along the Colorado River system. The impoundment permanently changed the valley landscape and created a new body of water for recreation and power generation.

The reservoir forms a central element of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, where visitors engage in fishing, boating, and outdoor recreational pursuits.

Visitors with motorized boats must have their watercraft inspected for invasive species before launching and can access the water via three designated ramps. Shoreline areas can be steep and rocky, so sturdy footwear helps when exploring on foot.

Beneath the surface lie remnants of old mining traces and submerged tree trunks that now serve as shelter for fish. The lake attracts anglers who come for kokanee salmon and several species of trout found in its deep waters.

Location: Gunnison County

GPS coordinates: 38.47030,-107.22040

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28