Electra Lake
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectric water storage |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Headquarters | La Plata County , United States |
| Products | Water storage for hydroelectric power generation |
| Owner | Xcel Energy |
Electra Lake is a reservoir under private ownership situated in La Plata County, Colorado, managed by Xcel Energy. It functions as a water storage facility supporting the Tacoma Hydro Generating Station. The reservoir's total capacity reaches .
History
Known interchangeably as Electra Lake Dam, Terminal Dam, or Cascade #2, this rockfill dam stands 103 feet tall and stretches 1,275 feet along its crest. Constructed in 1902, the lake spans approximately 1.3 square miles and derives its name from the mythological character Electra.
The dam itself does not generate hydroelectric power; instead, water is transported 18 miles away to the Tacoma Hydro Generating Station through a 4,400-foot open wooden flume—one of only two such flumes still operational in U.S. hydroelectric projects. The Tacoma powerhouse is positioned within the Animas River Canyon and can be reached exclusively via the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Xcel Energy owns and operates the dam, which underwent reconstruction in 1980.
Recreation and marinas
During the summer season, the lake permits public entry for a fee, enabling recreational pursuits that complement its primary function as a hydroelectric reservoir.