Big Meadows Reservoir
Big Meadows Reservoir is in Mineral County, Colorado, U.S., southwest of South Fork and in the Rio Grande National Forest. The reservoir, which lies at an elevation of, was created to provide a fishing venue and is a Colorado state wildlife area. The reservoir is reached by taking Forest Service Road 410 for about off of U.S. Highway 160 on the east side of Wolf Creek Pass.
Dams
The reservoir has two dams. A spillway is between the two dams, as is a rocky area that functions as a dam. A hiking trail goes over both dams, and a footbridge carries hikers over the spillway. The Big Meadows Main Dam, NID ID CO00764, is a high earthen dam that can store up to of water. It was built in 1968 and is wide. The Big Meadows - North Dike, NID ID CO02869, is a high earthen dam. It was built in 1968 and is wide. Both dams and the reservoir are owned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The lake makes up the Big Meadows Reservoir State Wildlife Area. Fishing is the wildlife area's chief activity. The reservoir covers and has a boat ramp. Anglers catch brook trout, rainbow trout, salmon, and German brown trout. The United States Forest Service operates the Big Meadows Campground and Picnic Area, which is adjacent to the reservoir.