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Lake Estes was created in 1948 when the Bureau of Reclamation completed
construction of Olympus Dam, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project
(C-BT). Located on the Big Thompson River, the primary purpose of Lake Estes
is to provide for the regulation and storage of C-BT water diverted from the
Colorado River headwaters on the western slope to the drier plains of northeastern Colorado.
Lake Estes is also the afterbay for the Estes Power Plant, which you can see by looking to
the west, and provides significant recreational opportunities to residents and visitors in
the Estes Valley.
Lake Estes and the property around it are owned by the United States. Through a
cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Estes Valley
Recreation and Parks District, lands around the lake are
managed for a variety of purposes including recreation, wildlife viewing, wildlife habitat,
and wetlands. There are 185 acres of water and 118 acres of land available for recreation and
other purposes.
Some of the many recreational opportunities around and on Lake Estes include:
Lake Estes Marina: Includes a marina store, boat rentals, fishing, playground,
picnicking, boat docks, waterskiing, group picnic space, and lake touring.
Cherokee Draw: Located on the south side of Lake Estes, this day-use area
features picnicking, sightseeing, and fishing opportunities.
Fisherman's Nook: This day-use area is on the north side of Lake Estes and serves as
a fishing and picnicking area with parking.
Lake Estes Golf Course: An executive nine-hole golf course featuring four par fours
and five par threes.
Wapiti Meadows: Located below Olympus Dam, the Meadows is used for fishing,
picnicking, and has many acres dedicated to wetlands, open space, and wildlife.
Lake Estes Trail: A hard surface 3.75 mile trail encircles Lake Estes. The trail is
used by hikers, bikers, rollerbladers, and joggers. The trail has many spectacular
mountain views that allow users to combine exercise with sightseeing. |
