Morrow Point Dam - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

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.

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.
 

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.

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. 
    

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.

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

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. 

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

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