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Morrow Point Dam - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

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About Morrow Point Dam

Morrow Point Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Gunnison River in Montrose County, which was built between 1963 and 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the purpose of generating hydroelectric power. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation. The dam's power plant has a capacity of 72 megawatts. In addition to its main purpose of generating hydroelectric power, the Morrow Point Dam also helps to regulate water levels in the Gunnison River.
Address : Morrow Point Dam, Cimarron, CO 81220, USA

Things to Do at Morrow Point Dam

The dam is located in the San Juan National Forest, and it's a popular spot for fishing, hiking, and picnicking. There's also a campground at the base of the dam, so you can stay overnight if you want to. If you're interested in history, you can take a self-guided tour of the dam and learn about its construction. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even go whitewater rafting on the Gunnison River.


Top Activities Near Morrow Point Dam

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History of Morrow Point Dam

The dam was built in the early 1960s as part of the Aspinall Unit plan, which resulted in the construction of three dams on the Gunnison River. Morrow Point Dam is the easternmost of these three dams, and it impounds the Morrow Point Reservoir. The reservoir provides water for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation, as well as recreation opportunities such as fishing and boating. In addition to its role in the Aspinall Unit, Morrow Point Dam is also notable for its unique design. Unlike most dams, which are built with concrete or earthen materials, Morrow Point Dam is made entirely of boulders that were gathered from the riverbed. These rocks were carefully placed and compacted to create a structure that would be able to withstand the force of the water. The dam was completed in 1968, and it continues to serve its original purpose today.

The Morrow Point Dam is named for one of its original purposes: creating a deep water port at its namesake town of Morrow Point, Colorado. However, this town was eventually flooded by the reservoir created by the dam, and today there is no trace of it remaining.
 


Best Time to Visit Morrow Point Dam

The best time to visit depends on what you're looking for. If you want to experience the dam at its fullest, the best time to come is during the spring runoff from April to June. However, if you're hoping for more tranquil surroundings, the fall months of September and October are ideal.

 


Tips for Visiting Morrow Point Dam

  1. Remember that this is a working dam - please respect all posted signs and stay out of restricted areas.
  2. Visitors can tour the spillway tunnels and see the powerhouse from an overlook on the north side of the dam. Hiking and camping are also popular activities in the area. 
  3. Pets are not allowed in the spillway tunnels or on the powerhouse grounds. However, they are allowed on leash in other areas of the recreation area. 
  4. There are no hotels or restaurants at Morrow Point Dam, so visitors should make sure to bring enough food and water for their stay. 
  5. There is a campground located near the dam which has 10 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  6. There are no hotels or restaurants at Morrow Point Dam, so visitors should make sure to bring enough food and water for their stay. 
     

Interesting Facts and Trivias About Morrow Point Dam

  1. It is a concrete gravity dam that is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area.
  2.  The dam impounds the Gunnison River and creates the Morrow Point Reservoir.
  3. Construction of the dam began in 1961 and was completed in 1968.
  4. The dam is 659 feet (201 m) tall and 1,281 feet (391 m) long.
  5. The Morrow Point Dam has a capacity of 62,460 acre-feet.
  6. The dam is named after one of its main contributors, Robert B. Morrow who was the Commissioner of Reclamation from 1953 to 1961.
  7. The primary purpose of the dam is to generate hydroelectric power but it also provides irrigation water for agriculture and recreation opportunities such as fishing, boating, and camping.

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at Morrow Point Dam

Visitors can explore the dam and surrounding area for a full day, or longer if they wish.


How to Reach Morrow Point Dam

The best way to reach it is by car. from Denver, take I-70 west to exit 62. From there, follow Highway 50 west for about 30 miles. The dam will be on your left. There is a large parking area where you can leave your car. 


Entrance Fee of Morrow Point Dam

There is no entrance fee to the dam, but there is a small fee for parking. 


Opening Hours of Morrow Point Dam

The hours of operation are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The dam is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.


Attractions Near Morrow Point Dam

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D & RG Narrow Gauge TrestleThe D&RG Narrow Gauge Trestle in Montrose County, Colorado is a historic wooden trestle that was built in the late 19th century. The trestle is located on a former railway line that was used to transport silver and other minerals from the nearby San Juans Mountains. The trestle is one of the largest and most impressive examples of railroad engineering from this period in American history. It is also one of the only remaining structures from the D&RG Railroad, which operated in Colorado.
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Crystal ReservoirCrystal Reservoir is a man-made reservoir located in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in the early 1980s by damming the Crystal River. The reservoir is located near the town of Nucla and is a popular recreation spot for boating, fishing, and water skiing. It is also known for its abundance of cutthroat trout. The reservoir is fed by the Crystal River and is surrounded by steep cliffs and evergreen forests. The reservoir is used for irrigation, recreation, and flood control.
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Morrow Point ReservoirMorrow Point Reservoir is a man-made body of water in Montrose County. The reservoir was created in 1968 by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Aspinall Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. It is located in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and its primary purpose is to store water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The reservoir has a capacity of 36,700 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,200 acres. It is fed by the Morrow Point Dam.
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Cerro SummitCerro Summit is a high mountain pass in Montrose County, Colorado. The pass lies on the Continental Divide, at an elevation of 12,276 feet. The pass is traversed by State Highway 145, which connects the towns of Telluride and Placerville. Cerro Summit is one of the highest paved roads in Colorado. The views from the pass are stunning, with alpine meadows and wildflowers in summer, and snow-capped peaks in winter.
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Curecanti NeedleCurecanti Needle is a 700 foot granite spire located deep within Curecanti National Recreation Area in western Colorado. Used for many years as an advertising symbol for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, whose narrow-gauge railway famously ran along the northern bank of the river and passed near the Needle, the spire is today part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, a National Park Service facility that encompasses three impoundments of the Gunnison river.
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Blue Mesa DamBlue Mesa Dam is on the Gunnison river about 30 miles below Gunnison, and 1.5 miles below Sapinero, Colorado. Blue Mesa Dam and reservoir are part of the Bureau of Reclamation's Wayne N. Aspinall Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project, which retains the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries for agricultural and municipal use in the American Southwest. The dam has a volume of 3,080,000 cubic yards and the spillway intake structure has two radial gates.

Discover More Attractions in Montrose County, Home of Morrow Point Dam

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Montrose County
Montrose County is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colorado, offering a wide range of activities and attractions. The county is home to some of the state's most popular ski resorts, as well as a number of hiking and biking trails. In addition, Montrose County is home to a number of historic towns and villages, making it a great place to explore Colorado's rich history. Whether you're looking for an exciting vacation or a relaxing getaway, Montrose County is sure to have something

Location of Morrow Point Dam


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