Sanchez Reservoir lies in far southcentral Colorado, west of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
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in
Costilla County. Its inflows include Ventero Creek and the Sanchez Canal, a
diversion canal that takes water from
Culebra Creek and two other creeks.
Dam
The reservoir's earthen dam was built in 1912. Because the dam leaks a lot and because of ongoing drought in the region, the reservoir never really reaches its full capacity.
Fishing
Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages fishing at the reservoir, which forms the Sanchez Reservoir State Wildlife Area. However, the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued a "Fish consumption advisory," warning of unsafe mercury levels in
northern pike and
walleye caught in the lake.
References
External links
Sanchez Reservoir State Wildlife Area map and information
Reservoirs in Colorado
Lakes of Costilla County, Colorado
1912 establishments in Colorado
Dams completed in 1912
Wildlife management areas of Colorado
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