Montgomery Reservoir, body of water
Montgomery Reservoir is a manmade lake built in 1957 by Colorado Springs, sitting at over 10,800 feet in elevation near Hoosier Pass. The water is contained by an asphalt-lined dam measuring over 1,900 feet long and more than 100 feet high, designed to withstand harsh mountain weather.
The reservoir was constructed in 1957 to store water and supply drinking water to Colorado Springs. Its creation followed decades of mining activity in the area, with abandoned buildings and equipment still visible today as reminders of that industrial past.
The reservoir sits on a historic mountain pass route where travelers have crossed for generations. It remains a quiet gathering place where visitors can step away from daily life and find solitude among the peaks.
The reservoir is open year-round and free to visit, though winter snow may block access roads. Visitors should dress in layers for the thin mountain air and bring plenty of water and snacks, as facilities are minimal at this remote location.
Water arrives at the reservoir through a tunnel from the western side of the Continental Divide, channeling water from rivers on the opposite slope of the mountain range. This engineering solution allows the region to share water across the natural divide, showing how mountain water management works in practice.
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