1996 - Reclamation released a Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Statement, that addressed updated environmental information. 2023 season passes can be purchased beginning January 1, 2023 in person at the Durango Community Recreation Center located at 2700 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301. So we went. This article will explore the 15 largest lakes in Colorado. Permits are sold at many local businesses or at the agency's office, Pine River Irrigation District (PRID). Farmington requested water from Lake Nighthorse. From hiking and biking the lands around the lake to finding the perfect picnic spot, Lake Nighthorse is one of Durango's newest and most enjoyable attractions. The Longmire Character Who Changed Everything. Aquatic Nuisance Species Boat Inspections are mandatory at Lake Nighthorse. Looking to get your feet wet? Concrete lining in the gate chamber was initiated in late fall. The lake offers endless opportunities for fun or relaxation: How you enjoy the waters are up to you. Lake Nighthorse is a reservoir created by the 270 feet (82 m) high Ridges Basin Dam southwest of Durango in La Plata County Colorado.As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River.. History. The Twin Lakes are located at the base of Mt. That is because the headgates at the dam southwest of Durango, Colorado, have to be destroyed and replaced, according to Animas-La Plata Project Operations . The Twin Lakes Reservoirs cover a total area of 4.21 sq mi 2,700 acres, and both offer good brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout fish and trophy lake trout. During daily operations, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday open to 10 a.m. are quiet & wakeless hours, including holidays. Lake Nighthorse is named in honor of former United . Lake Nighthorse was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Animas La Plata (ALP) Project. Worth spending an afternoon kayaking from one end to the other. More information will be posted at a later time, and updates will be emailed to all participants. Lake Nighthorse is absolutely beautiful. Kirk Russell. 30 minutes prior to daily closure, the entrance gate will be closed to access, and boat exit inspections as well as watercraft launches will cease. Job Openings. As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River. General Details: Lake is closed seasonally: The federally required seasonal closure is to protect critical winter wildlife habitat at Lake Nighthorse. Fish entrails go in the trash, not the lake. Located in La Plata Countys Bayfield, Vallecito Lake is a fantastic spot for all kinds of outdoor activities. Work on completion of the transfer stipulations is continuing. In 1988, it was incorporated into the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. Lake Nighthorse reaches depths of almost 180 feet and the Kokanee aren't shy about diving deep. By closing Lake Nighthorse to recreation during winter months, deer and elk that migrate to these lower elevations in winter do not have to actively move - burning stored fat as calories - to avoid humans. Lake Nighthorse meets Native American water rights in the area. In the pleasant year-round atmosphere, guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities around the lake, such as sailing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, prime fishing, or motor-boating. You'll find that it offers a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing. With a maximum depth of 135 feet or 41 meters, the lake is also used for recreation and wildlife. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Jacob Nighthorse (or Jacob Blankenship as it was revealed in season 4 he changed his name in the 1990s) is the main antagonist in the Longmire television show and owns a lot of businesses including the Four Arrows Casino. This lake is an excellent destination for water activities such as stand up paddle board, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming as well as sun-bathing on the lakes sand beach, or hiking on the abundant surroundings. Its an ideal mountain lake for fishing and hiking. Life jackets are required and available on site for use, and lifeguards are on duty. Lake Nighthorse is open to swimming, fishing, boating and more in Durango, CO. Lake Nighthorse, spanning more than 1,500 acres, is just two miles from downtown Durango. A breakthrough to the delays came with the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments in December 2000 (Public Law 106554). It provided for a multi-purpose project primarily . It is one of just 26 places in the Colorado where the catch of the day might include Salmon, making it . The reservoir site is two miles from downtown Durango and is poised to provide a . So this lake is history in the making. The lake is full and the surface area is approximately 1,500 acres at maximum elevation and the reservoir area includes a total of approximately 5,500 acres. It takes an average of 50 min to hike. Destruction or removal of cultural resources will be prosecuted. Parking. Lake & River Activities. This site uses cookies for measurement, ads and optimization. In 1988, it was incorporated into the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon from Lake Nighthorse tested in 2012-13 had an average level of mercury at 0.1 ppm, well below . Typical government-run operation: Build it with our tax dollars, then close it to the public for most of the year, and when open have only limited hours and charge the taxpayer to get in. That nearly changed last fall when the Animas River was running at a trickle. Blue Mesa is an artificial lake located in western Colorado, adjacent to the town of Gunnison, and stretches for around 20 miles. 9. A brilliant Sterling silver and 18k gold Pendant with stunning inlays of Fossilized Fern Root, Coral and Turquoise. However, its water volume can only reach 340,771 acre-feet at full capacity. The lake also provides an excellent spot for fishing and camping along the lake or neighboring hillsides. Swim beach and paddle boards/kayaks for rent or launch your own. 2003 - Update of Project Construction Cost Estimate reveals increase of project cost from approximately $338 million to $500 million. One thing we had heard from local friends - and noticed ourselves - is there's little to no "beach" to swim from. It is an amazing lake because no rivers flow into it or out of it. Water is glassy and very clean and the views of the surrounding mountains are lovely. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. Soon enough though we arrived at a clearing that surpassed all expectations we had. Please contact each business directly for details of their programs: MANDATORY BOAT AND TRAILER INSPECTIONS FOR ALL WATERCRAFT THAT ARE NOT HAND-LAUNCHED AND HUMAN POWERED, AND FOR FALSE-BOTTOM RAFTS, AND ARE SUBJECT TO DECONTAMINATION. Video stream provided by Parks of Recreation department of the City of Durango at. Durango Pumping Plant excavation was initiated. The lake offers endless opportunities for fun or relaxation: How you enjoy the waters are up to you. Water skiing and boating are common sports in this area. The night before was a full moon, which allows fish to eat all night and not hungry in the day. Save on outdoor activities, tours & rentals. It is one of just 26 places in the Colorado where the catch of the day might include Salmon, making it a unique spot for casting off. I had not fished it yet, but I heard wonderful things. Discover this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Durango, Colorado. Fair-weather swimmers and paddlers can also check out the live Lake Nighthorse webcam here as well as water temps by clicking on the "swim beach" tab. Today is, Parks of Recreation department of the City of Durango. Best wrong turn ever!! What attractions are near Lake Nighthorse? Photos speak louder than words, so Im going to attach a few of my favorites. Business Locator Map. President (To Win Colorado) (D) Joe Biden* (R) Donald Trump. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll . Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Decontamination of non-ballasted boats will be available daily. To view the HydroData portal full screen, Final Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement Contract, Final Amended and Restated Agreement in Principle, Final Funding Agreement and Repayment Contract, Final Amendment and Restated Escrow Agreement, Final Amended and Restated Agreement and Instructions, Final Amendatory Funding Agreement and Repayment Contract, Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program, Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program, Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan, Gunnison Basin Selenium Management Program, New Mexico Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Project, Water Conservation Field Services Program, Ridges Basin Cultural Resource Management Plan, Final EA for Lake Nighthorse Recreation Plan, Comments on Lake Nighthorse Recreation Plan, News Release - Public Meeting on Recreation, La Plata West Water Authority Raw Water Project Final Environmental Assessment, Animas-La Plata Project Environmental Commitment Checklist - 2009 Update, Animas River Fisheries Database Synthesis and Analysis Final Report, Vegetation and Wildlife Mitigation Final Report, Animas River Fish Passage and Canal Entrainment Evaluation and Recommendations, Record of Decision - Animas-La Plata Project/Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Final Supplemental EIS. For more info, see our Rentals Page or call our Nighthorse Lake phone at 970-946-6410. The reservoir site is two miles from downtown Durango and provides a significant . Placement of the zone materials (including sand and filter drains, impervious clay core, and Zone 4 shell) continued. The lake and surroundings are stunning. Lake Nighthorse Recreation Center Chapman Hill Ice Rink Passes Chapman Ski Hill Tennis Court Reservations Lake & River Activities Sailing Kayaking/Rafting Wake Surfing SUP . From paddlers on kayaks and in canoes to sailboats to other watercraft, you'll find that it's the perfect place to put in and enjoy. Ultimately, the city canceled its requests. Post By: Kokanee Bro Posted: 4/29/2018 10:24:52 AM Points: 245. Expect fishing to wax and wane, but keep at it. The Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000 provide for implementation and completion of the project. It sits east of Pueblo in Hasty, and it gets its water from the Arkansas River. At the outlet works the gate chamber was completed and a 4 x 6 foot slide gate was installed. Athlete Guide - Updated 9.4.2022. The lake, originally authorized by the U.S. Congress in September 1968, didn't actually begin construction until 2003. Lake Nighthorse began filling on May 4, 2009, and filled for the first time on June 29, 2011. The Animas-La Plata Water Project was completed in 2015. Dillon Reservoir may get crowded, but there are plenty of surface acres to explore. 1992- A lawsuit filed by environmental organizations halted construction of the project. In September 2008, the first two major contracts were awarded for work on the Navajo Nation Municipal Pipeline marking the start of construction on the fourth major component of the project. Sailing. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Ballasted boats with valid green seal and white receipts may launch following incoming inspection and seal removal at any time when the lake is open. ANIMAS RIVER AT DURANGO, CO. Water Temp: 38.84 F. Flow: 142 ft/s. Large lake with inflatables for all to use. The 4K HD live stream Webcam shows you all around this 1,500-acre lake, which opened in 2018 and is situated just southwest of the city of Durango. Lake Nighthorse Lake Nighthorse offers plenty of fishing opportunities. To protect cultural resources in the area, recreation is only allowed in developed areas and 25 feet above the high-water level around the reservoir. The area in and around Lake Nighthorse would not beopened for public use until a recreation management entity could beidentified and appropriate recreation facilities constructed. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The trouble is that Malachi hangs Nighthorse from a chain and forces the cowboy sheriff to choose between chasing him and saving someone he despises. The water level in the lake is a balance between rainfall, groundwater flow and evaporation. The Vallecito Reservoir or Vallecito Lake has a surface area of 4.25 sq mi or 2,720 acres when filled to its maximum capacity. The Animas: a favorite winter fishery. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This captivating lake, also known as a Sapphire on the Plains, has been attracting visitors worldwide to see the nearby historic landmarks, exquisite fauna, and recreational opportunities. Please note that the Price will increase on 8/16/2021 to $70 Individual, $135 Relay; and again on 9/1/2021 to $75 . The lake viewed from the overlook on County Road 210, "US Bureau of Reclamation Project Status", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Nighthorse&oldid=1111956375, Bodies of water of La Plata County, Colorado, Buildings and structures in La Plata County, Colorado, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 23 September 2022, at 22:10. Thank you for reading! Its deepest measured depth is 1,949 feet (594 meters). A beautiful lake just outside of downtown Durango. Animas River (On-e-mas; Spanish: Ro de las nimas) is a 126-mile-long (203 km) river in the western United States, a tributary of the San Juan River, part of the Colorado River System.. From boating, fishing, and cooling off, youll never run out of beautiful and massive lakes to choose from in Colorado. 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