In 1933, the Poudre Valley was enduring years of drought and dust storms and the farmers began realizing the need for more water to satisfy the thirst of the crop-bearing farms around Fort Collins. Knowing the water from the Poudre River was inconsistent, sometimes providing too much and at other times not enough, they organized the Northern Colorado Water Users Association to look at solutions to the water problems. Members were from seven Northern Colorado counties and represented the major cities of Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland. The goal was to divert enough water out of the mountains to double the water supply in the plains using a series of reservoirs, canals, and tunnels. The project they undertook was called The Big Thompson Water Project. It would take 20 years to complete at a cost of $163 million and would include Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins.

Construction on Horsetooth Reservoir began in 1946, right after the end of World War II. The small quarry town of Stout and several farms, ranches, and roads were located within the site that would become the reservoir. Four dams were constructed on the canyons in the valley using rock from the surface of the foothills. The dams were named Spring Canyon Dam, Soldier Canyon Dam, Dixon Canyon Dam, and Horsetooth Dam. Construction was complete in 1948, however, the reservoir remained empty until 1951. After the water started to flow, it took several years to fill the reservoir and it eventually held 156,000 acre feet of water and was seven miles long and 200 feet deep.

Horsetooth Reservoir acquired its name from the unique rock formation which sits above the large body of water. Today the reservoir provides recreation for fishermen, water skiers, and boaters. The eastern shore is lined by a road that offers spectacular views of the mountains and water to the west, and of the City of Fort Collins to the east.

Introduction | Horsetooth Reservoir | What Emergency Plans are Already in Place? | Where Would All That Water Go?