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(or reservoirs … )
Clinton Gulch Reservoir at twilight. Summit County, Colorado.
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY — For the purposes of my environmental reporting, I’m often careful to make a clear distinction between lakes and reservoirs — for good reason here in Colorado, where the majority of the population depends on stored water to drink, shower and for watering lawns.
Lakes follow a natural life cycle and rhythm, driven by precipitation, temperatures, inflows and other natural factors. But reservoirs are completely controlled by human actions and their levels rise and fall depending on human needs.
It’s an interesting distinction, and a lot of people still don’t get it, as evidenced by the fact that Dillon Reservoir, near my home in Frisco, Colorado, is still called Lake Dillon by many locals and visitors, and some still appear surprised when the water level falls by several feet within a few short weeks during dry years (like now).
But for the sake of the popular #FriFotos Twitter chat, I’ve included pictures of both lakes and reservoirs, focusing on their aesthetic qualities rather than technical definitions. Join the fun by posting your own photos, tagged with #FriFotos and enjoy lake pictures from around the world.
The waters of Clinton Gulch Reservoir reflect an intense sunset.
Clinton Gulch Reservoir is an important water source for snowmaking operations at many big Colorado ski areas.
A peaceful campsite along Officers Gulch Pond, formed when crews were building Interstate 70 through a narrow mountain canyon.
Officers Gulch pond in autumn.
Dillon Reservoir is my favorite subject for photography.
Sunrise over Dillon Reservoir.
Lakes (and reservoirs) are for sailing.
The ice melts back, revealing a reflective strip of open water.
Pass Lake, at 11,940-feet in the Colorado Rockies.
A lake in the backcountry wilderness of the Gore Range, Colorado.
Frazil ice forms in swift-moving water that’s chilled to below freezing. It’s most common in mountain streams but in this case was formed by wind-churned water along the shore of Dillon Reservoir.
Lake ice in spring.
High Country lake, Colorado.
Filed under: Colorado, Morning photo, photography, Summit County Colorado Tagged: | Colorado, Dillon Reservoir, Frisco Colorado, Gore Range, Lake Powell, lakes, photography, reservoirs
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