Blue Mesa Reservoir

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Blue Mesa Reservoir

Location	Gunnison County, Colorado
Coordinates	38°27′N 107°20′WCoordinates: 38°27′N 107°20′W
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Gunnison River
Primary outflows	Gunnison River
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	36 mi (58 km)
Shore length¹	96 mi (154 km)
Surface elevation	7,519 ft (2,292 m)
¹ Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Blue Mesa Reservoir (elevation 7,519 ft (2,292 m)) is Colorado's largest body of water. Created by Blue Mesa Dam, Blue Mesa Reservoir is 36 mi (58 km) long, has 96 mi (154 km) of shoreline, and is the largest lake trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1965, becoming the first large dam built along the Gunnison River.

U.S. 50 travels along the banks of the lake, and crosses it on the Lake Fork Arm and at Middle Bridge.

Blue Mesa Reservoir, located in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, is Colorado's largest body of water. The reservoir is located in Western Colorado between Montrose and Gunnison at an elevation of 7,519'. Formed by damming the Gunnison River, Blue Mesa Lake is one of the three reservoirs formed from the Gunnison River. Also located in Curecanti National Recreation Area, the other two reservoirs are Crystal Reservoir and Morrow Point Reservoir. The area is filled with beautiful mesas, deep narrow canyons, and fjord like lakes. Covering 41,972 acres (169.85 km²), the park brings over 960,000 visitors each year. One of the best deals in the state: there is no entrance fee.

Recreation Activities

Along the Morrow Point Reservoir, boat tours are offered. The tour travels through the upper Black Canyon of the Gunnison on a 42-passenger pontoon boat. The tour runs 1.5 hours (reservations are required). Popular recreation activities include wind surfing, waterskiing, and in the winter excellent ice fishing. Other activities that are not water based are visiting the 5,000-acre (20 km²) archeological district and exploring the old Narrow Gauge Railroad of Gunnison. Rangers in the area will give you the history of this old mining railroad. Hiking is another popular pastime. In the area, there are trails ranging from easy to very strenuous. Close to the park, you can also visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison or the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Visitor centers are located at Elk Creek Marina and Cimarron. There are also overlooks at Dillon Pinnacles trail and Hermit's Rest trail.