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Lake Information for Carter Lake Reservoir
Carter Lake, the second largest reservoir in northeastern Colorado, is the principal storage site for Colorado-Big Thompson Project deliveries to the south and east.
Longmont, Boulder and Broomfield, among other cities, are recipients. Water from Carter Lake is also used to irrigate cropland in Boulder and Weld counties.
The Southern Water Supply Project conveys water from Carter Lake to various Front Range and Eastern Plains cities within the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Subdistrict boundaries.
The buried pipeline extends south out of Carter Lake to Broomfield, Louisville and Superior. It also travels east and south to Fort Lupton, Hudson and Fort Morgan.
Construction of Carter Lake began in July 1950 and was completed in September 1952. Most of the water stored in the lake originates more than 50 miles away, on Colorado's West Slope.
Water is pumped into Carter Lake from Flatiron Reservoir, located northwest of the lake. Water is lifted 300 feet from Flatiron through the Carter Lake Pressure Tunnel, a 1.4-mile long, 8-foot diameter pipe.
Carter Lake is a popular recreational site for fishing, sailing, waterskiing, swimming and boating. Larimer County Parks and Open Lands manages outdoor recreation at the site.
Drive west of Loveland on U.S. Highway 34 to mile marker #85. Watch for the 'Carter Lake' sign.
Turn left (south) onto County Road 29. Go 2 miles and turn right (west) onto County Road 18E. Go west another 2 miles. Watch for the park signs.
At County Road 31 turn left and stop to purchase park entrance permits at the entrance station on your right or at The Bison Visitor Center. Continue south on County Road 31 another 2 miles to Carter Lake, campgrounds, marina, and swim beach.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Bennett's Tackle
- 121 Bunyan Ave - Berthoud, CO
- (970) 532-2213
- Betty's Bait & Tackle
- 210 N Us-287 - Fort Collins, CO
- (970) 493-3474
- Bob's Fly Tying Specialties
- 406 S Lincoln Ave - Loveland, CO
- (970) 667-1107
Boat Rental
- Colorado Boat Center
- 3854 Se Frontage Rd - Johnstown, CO
- (970) 663-6473
- Boulder Boat Works
- 5853 Rawhide Ct - Boulder, CO
- (720) 565-0789
- Ram Boat CO Incorporated
- 1620 Teller St - Lakewood, CO
- (303) 238-0640
Vacation Rental
- Aspen Winds
- 1051 Fall River Ct - Estes Park, CO
- (970) 586-6010
- Ultimate Cabin Experience Vacation Rental
- 3206 Apex Valley Rd - Golden, CO
- (720) 275-0441
- Colorado Vacation Rental Estate
- 7400 Greenstone Trl - Fort Collins, CO
- (970) 371-8610
Bar and Restaurant
- Praha Restaurant & Bar
- 7521 Ute Hwy - Longmont, CO
- (303) 702-1180
- Shortys Pit Bar-B-Q
- 1133 Ken Pratt Blvd - Longmont, CO
- (303) 776-7427
- Miller's Crossing Bar & Grill
- 3021 N Garfield Ave - Loveland, CO
- (970) 962-9659