McPhee Reservoir

About McPhee Reservoir

Spanish priests who travelled in the Dolores Valley in 1776 imagined a project to bring water to thirsty plants in the Montezuma Valley. The dreams of the priests came true: a tunnel was built to provide water for the valley and its inhabitants, and a dam for irrigation.

Western Treasure, is a beautiful place for boating, fishing and relaxing, and it is located at the bottom of the Dolores Valley. The reservoir was built and supplies the Montezuma Valley, the largest river in the United States and the second largest in Mexico. A tributary of this is the Peche River, which flows through the valley into the Colorado River near Pueblo.

In addition to irrigation, the water is also used by industry for hydropower, flood control and recreation. The reservoir is under the control of the Office of Reprocessing, which regulates water levels and stores water for use in the state of Colorado.

Visitors to McPhee Reservoir will find plenty of recreational opportunities, and the reservoir is filled with both warm and cold fish.

Fishermen can fish for trout, perch, whitefish, bluefish and other fish, but there is also a special trout species called McConaughy.

Behind the dam there is a catch and release fishing that continues to challenge the anglers, but the best fishing at the reservoir is done by boat. There are various types of fishing opportunities at McPhee Reservoir, as well as a variety of other recreational fishing opportunities.

Canoeing, sailing and sailing are popular activities at the reservoir, but also water skiing and skiing are possible here. For outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay overnight, there are several recreational areas around the reservoirs, including the McPhee Recreation Area, operated by the US Forest Service. The reservoir has a full service campsite, which provides boaters with everything they need. A nice place to camp is under the juniper trees, as well as on the lake side of the dam, near the water edge.

For less adventurous visitors, the town of Cortez is just 10 km north of the reservoir, and there is also a narrow gauge train that runs from Silverton to Durango. The San Juan Skyway, known as "America's most beautiful drive," is a one-day drive from San Juan that passes through a series of mountains that skiers will be familiar with. Visitors to McPhee Reservoir can explore the region's rich history in just 20 minutes.

The Mesa Verde National Park preserves the remains of the Pueblo people who lived in the area for over 2,000 years before the arrival of the Europeans. Spend a day climbing the cliff - the tallest dwellings - then leave the majestic, mineral-rich gorge and head for the ancient city of Cortez, just 10 km north of McPhee Reservoir. It is the only place where it is possible to stand in all four states at once, and almost anyone looking for adventure in the West will find something to love at the beautiful McPhee Reservoir.