Pinewood Reservoir, Colorado Weather Cams
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Pinewood Reservoir, Colorado: A High‑Country Chronicle of Water, Wilderness, and Western Ingenuity
Pinewood Reservoir, Colorado Weather Cams.
Pinewood Reservoir, tucked into the foothills west of Loveland, is one of those Colorado places where natural beauty and human engineering intersect so seamlessly that the landscape feels timeless. Yet its history—along with that of the surrounding Rattlesnake Park, Blue Mountain, and the Big Thompson foothills—is a story shaped by Indigenous presence, homesteading, water development, and the evolution of outdoor recreation on the northern Front Range.
An Indigenous Landscape Long Before the Reservoir
For thousands of years before dams and roads reached this corner of Larimer County, the foothills around present‑day Pinewood Reservoir were part of the seasonal homelands of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne peoples. The valleys and ridgelines served as travel corridors between the plains and the mountains, while the meadows supported hunting of elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. The Big Thompson River—flowing just to the north—was a vital waterway, and its tributaries shaped the ecology of the foothills.
Archaeological evidence throughout the region shows long‑term Indigenous use: stone tools, fire rings, and hunting blinds on high ridges. These foothills were not remote wilderness but part of a dynamic cultural landscape.
Homesteaders and the Early Foothills Community
Euro‑American settlement arrived in the mid‑19th century, following the establishment of Fort Collins and the agricultural boom in the Big Thompson Valley. The foothills west of Loveland attracted ranchers who valued the open grazing land and the reliable snowmelt that fed small creeks.
Families such as the Rapps, the Swans, and the Blue Mountain homesteaders carved out ranches in the rugged terrain. Life here was isolated—roads were rough, winters were harsh, and the nearest towns were miles away. Yet the foothills supported cattle grazing, dryland farming, and small timber operations.
The area that would become Pinewood Reservoir remained sparsely settled, defined by ranch boundaries, seasonal cattle drives, and the quiet rhythms of foothills life.
The Big Thompson Project and the Birth of a Reservoir
The transformation of the region began in the 1930s and 1940s with the Colorado‑Big Thompson Project (C‑BT), one of the most ambitious water‑diversion systems in the American West. Designed to move water from the Colorado River Basin to the thirsty farms and towns of the northern Front Range, the C‑BT required a network of reservoirs, tunnels, and power plants stretching from Grand County to Weld County.
Pinewood Reservoir was constructed as part of this system, completed in 1954. Unlike nearby Carter Lake or Horsetooth Reservoir—large storage bodies—Pinewood was designed primarily as a forebay for the Flatiron Power Plant. Water flows from the west through the Adams Tunnel, drops through the power plant, and is temporarily stored in Pinewood before continuing east toward Flatiron Reservoir.
The reservoir’s creation reshaped the landscape:
- Ranchlands were partially inundated
- New access roads were built
- The surrounding hills became part of a managed recreation and watershed protection zone
The name “Pinewood” reflects the dense ponderosa and lodgepole forests that once dominated the slopes.
Recreation Takes Root
By the 1960s, Pinewood Reservoir had become a popular local destination. Its smaller size and quiet setting made it distinct from the larger, busier reservoirs closer to Loveland. Managed by Larimer County, Pinewood developed a reputation for:
- Fishing, especially trout and tiger muskie
- Non‑motorized boating, preserving a peaceful atmosphere
- Camping, with sites overlooking the water
- Hiking, particularly the Blue Mountain Trail and the routes into Rattlesnake Park
The reservoir’s elevation—around 6,600 feet—gives it a mountain‑lake feel despite being only a short drive from the plains. Locals often describe it as a “hidden gem,” a place where foothills meet sky and where the pace of life slows.
The Surrounding Landscape: Rattlesnake Park and Blue Mountain: The broader area around Pinewood Reservoir is rich in natural and cultural history.
Rattlesnake Park
This open‑space area south of the reservoir is named not for an abundance of rattlesnakes (though they do exist) but for the winding, serpentine shape of the ridges. Historically, it served as grazing land and a travel corridor for both Indigenous peoples and early ranchers. Today it offers hiking, wildlife viewing, and sweeping views of the Big Thompson Canyon.
Blue Mountain
Rising to the south, Blue Mountain has long been a landmark for travelers. Its slopes were used for grazing and timber, and its summit provided a vantage point for early surveyors. Today it remains largely undeveloped, contributing to the reservoir’s sense of seclusion.
The Big Thompson Canyon Connection
Just north of Pinewood Reservoir lies the Big Thompson Canyon, whose history is inseparable from the region. The canyon served as a transportation route between the plains and Estes Park, and its communities—Drake, Glen Haven, Cedar Cove—developed alongside ranching and tourism.
The 1976 Big Thompson Flood, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Colorado history, reshaped the canyon and heightened awareness of watershed management. Although Pinewood Reservoir sits south of the main river channel, the event influenced regional emergency planning and land‑use decisions.
Pinewood Reservoir Today
Today Pinewood Reservoir remains one of Larimer County’s most cherished recreation areas. Its appeal lies in its balance:
- Close to Loveland, yet quiet and uncrowded
- Engineered for water management, yet surrounded by natural beauty
- Historically rich, yet forward‑looking in conservation
The reservoir continues to serve its original purpose within the C‑BT Project while offering residents and visitors a peaceful retreat in the foothills.
A Landscape Where History and Nature Converge
From Indigenous travel routes to ranching homesteads, from massive water‑engineering projects to modern recreation, Pinewood Reservoir’s story reflects the broader history of northern Colorado. It is a place where human ingenuity and natural beauty coexist, where the past is visible in the land, and where the foothills continue to shape the identity of the region.
Pinewood Reservoir stands today not just as a body of water, but as a living chapter in Colorado’s ongoing relationship with its mountains, rivers, and open spaces.
For more information, visit the Pinewood Reservoir, Colorado official website.