Lake Avery, reservoir in Colorado, United States

Lake Avery is a reservoir in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, located about 20 miles southeast of Meeker, where Big Beaver Creek flows in and out. The lake has two boat ramps, a large parking and picnic area, and a camping zone with restrooms on the east side.

Big Beaver Dam, a 102-foot earthen dam, was completed in 1964, creating the reservoir on Big Beaver Creek. In 2018, Colorado Parks and Wildlife released water from the lake into the White River for the first time since 2012, at 20 cubic feet per second for 120 days, because high temperatures and low flows threatened trout. In 2022 the state classified the dam as high hazard, and from 2024 the reservoir was drawn down for repairs.

The reservoir carries two names: Lake Avery and Big Beaver Reservoir, and sources do not record whether the name changed or both were always used. It lies in the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, whose six units include the Lake Avery Unit and the Bel Aire Unit. The lake holds rainbow and cutthroat trout.

The lake lies about 20 miles southeast of Meeker, west of Buford, and is reached by road; two boat ramps serve the water. The lake and surrounding land form part of the 13,664-acre Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, which allows camping, hiking, coldwater stream fishing and wildlife viewing. Public access ends on 25 November 2024 while the dam is drained for repairs scheduled from spring 2025.

The reservoir is held back by Big Beaver Dam, a 102-foot earthen structure built in 1964 and listed under National ID CO00962. In 2022 Colorado classified it a "high hazard dam" because of the damage a breach could cause. From 2024 Colorado Parks and Wildlife began draining the lake for repairs, and public access ended on 25 November 2024.