Ruedi Reservoir, Protected reservoir in White River National Forest, Colorado, United States
Ruedi Reservoir is a large body of water in White River National Forest, Colorado, held back by an earthen dam in the Fryingpan River Valley. It sits at roughly 6,600 feet (about 2,000 meters) elevation, surrounded by conifer forest and mountain slopes.
The dam was completed in the 1960s to store water for drier lands west of the Continental Divide. Before the reservoir filled, the Fryingpan River ran freely through a narrow mountain valley on the same site.
Ruedi Reservoir draws fishing enthusiasts throughout the season, and the water fills with small boats on weekends. The surrounding forest trails attract campers and day visitors who come to walk along the shoreline.
The reservoir is open for boating and fishing during the warmer months, and all watercraft must pass an inspection before launching. Trails along the shoreline are easy to follow and work well for walkers of most fitness levels.
A small power plant at the base of the dam quietly generates electricity using water released from the reservoir, something most visitors walk past without noticing. The reservoir is also part of a tunnel system that moves water under the mountains to the drier side of the Divide.
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