Rampart Reservoir
Rampart Range Reservoir is a reservoir northwest of the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado in Pike National Forest. The reservoir is located on a granite plateau approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 m) above sea level and consists of a body of water with a capacity of 13,000,000,000 US gallons (49,000,000 m3). This water supplies the domestic drinking water for the city of Colorado Springs and serves as a recreation area for boaters, mountain bikers, and hikers.[1]
| Rampart Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view | |
  Rampart Reservoir  Rampart Reservoir | |
| Location | Pike National Forest, El Paso County, Colorado, United States |
| Coordinates | 38.975°N 104.9611°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Water volume | 13,000,000,000 US gal (0.049 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 9,000 ft (2,700 m) |
The reservoir's construction began in the 1960s in response to the growing population of south-central Colorado and its increasing need for drinking water. The city of Colorado Springs voted in 1967 that the reservoir should be opened for public recreation after necessary facilities were built. The reservoir's dam, which is 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long and 230 feet (70 m) high, was built in 1969. Five years after its completion the reservoir had filled with water and the area was opened to the public as a recreation area.
The reservoir has been stocked with fish by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, which continues to do so today.
Rampart Reservoir access was briefly limited after the September 11 attacks on the United States to protect drinking water supplies. The reservoir area was closed June 23, 2012 due to the Waldo Canyon fire; it was reopened for limited access on Friday, May 24, 2013.[2]
References
- "Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area". Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. February 21, 2023.
- Rappold, R. Scott (2013-05-21). "Areas of national forest burned in Waldo fire to reopen for Memorial Day". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
- U.S. Forest Service. "Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area", Fs.fed.us. Accessed June 1, 2015.
- S. McLeod - Resident in the lake area and lifetime fishermen Pike National Forest Access and Use Guide City of Colorado Springs Utilities US Forrest Service Guide to the Pikes Peak Region.