“A million-dollar sacrifice for safety,” that’s what they called it. The Hidden Lake Dam stands before us. But it is about more than just dollars and cents. It’s about history and community.
Hidden Lake Dam is a poignant reminder of Colorado’s mining boom days. The dam dates back to the 1890s. It is one of the last remnants of a long-gone mining community. Imagine the hustle and bustle of miners seeking their fortunes here.
Heavy snowpack is both a blessing and a curse in Colorado. The arid West needs the water. Sudden snowmelt can cause floods. Henson Creek in Hinsdale County threatened Lake City. The Hidden Lake Dam became a potential hazard due to unprecedented avalanches. Debris could clog the dam and cause it to collapse.
Michael Davis, a county spokesman, described the potential disaster. Mature pine trees and giant boulders could create immense pressure. Water and rubble could rush toward Lake City.
The solution? Demolish the Hidden Lake Dam. The demolition process was photographed for posterity. This way a piece of history could be remembered. It’s a sacrifice to protect the town.
A federal emergency recovery program covered most of the $1 million cost. Hinsdale County and the state of Colorado shared the rest. Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency in May. Volunteers from across the state filled 15,000 sandbags. People from schools and churches wanted to help the community.
Lake City depends on tourism. Locals feared that people would be afraid to visit. The community needed visitors to support their businesses. The shops, hotels, and restaurants rely on annual income from tourism.
Hidden Lake itself is a gem near Westminster. It is just ten minutes from downtown Denver. It is close to beloved national parks. At 400 acres, Hidden Lake is perfect for fishing and watersports. You can catch largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Waterskiing and wake surfing are also popular.
Westminster offers family-friendly attractions. Conundrum Escape Rooms tests your logic. The Children’s Museum of Denver is a short drive away. Sky Zone Trampoline Park provides hours of fun.
Hidden Lake. It is a reminder that progress sometimes demands the sacrifice of the old. Yet the spirit of those who built this dam lives on. It lives on in the community’s resilience and determination to protect its home.