History of Barr Lake in Colorado

Barr Lake is a natural depression that collected water in the spring months. Bison, wolves and elk lived in the area in the 1800s. In the nearby prairie, pronghorn antelope could be found. According to Colorado State Parks, the wildlife attracted Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Indians to the area for hunting purposes.

The railroad is called the "greatest influence" on the Barr Lake area, according to Colorado State Parks. Tracks running between Denver and Chicago were finished in 1883 and passed the Barr Lake area. Three years later, workers began building the Burlington Canal. The canal funneled water from the South Platte River into the natural depression. At that time, the area was known as Oasis Reservoir.

Thanks to a constant and reliable supply of water, the prairie next to the reservoir became home to a cottonwood forest. Wildlife soon moved into the area. Bird lovers, fishermen and hunters then followed. Soon after, a dam was built to combine Oasis Reservoir with another reservoir. The body of water was named Barr Lake.

The area is named after a civil engineer, according to Colorado State Parks. The name Barr comes from a man who worked on the railroad in the area. In 1908, the size of the dam was expanded by the Farmer's Reservoir and Irrigation Company. Sugar beet farmers cashed in on the constant and reliable supply of water.

Located downstream from Denver, Barr Lake was the dumping ground of the city's untreated wastewater for more than 70 years. Clean water legislation helped change that in 1964. A flood in 1965 totally cleaned up Barr Lake. The area was expanded to include Barr Lake State Park in 1977. Colorado State Parks boasts that Barr Lake has always been an "oasis for wildlife and people."