This reservoir, nestled within the Rocky Mountains near Grand Lake, serves as a key component of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Formed by the Shadow Mountain Dam on the Grand Lake outlet, it functions as a regulating reservoir, storing water diverted from the Western Slope and releasing it to the Eastern Slope via the Alva B. Adams Tunnel. This process provides crucial water resources for agricultural and municipal use on the Front Range.
The stored water plays a vital role in sustaining agriculture and urban centers across a large portion of the state, contributing significantly to Colorado’s economy. Historically, the area surrounding the reservoir was inhabited by the Ute tribe, and the construction of the dam and subsequent formation of the reservoir drastically altered the landscape and local ecosystem. This alteration underscores the complex interplay between human needs and environmental impact.