Crystal Lake, located in Ironton Park, is technically a reservoir and has been quietly reflecting the red mountains and slopes surrounding Ironton Park for more than 90 years.

In 2024, the USFS suddenly drained Crystal Reservoir. Prior to 2024, the USFS indicated its preferred outcome was to breach the 14-foot-high earth dam permanently.

We all love Crystal Lake for its photogenic beauty, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. However, it is essential for providing water security and public safety to the City of Ouray and Ouray County. Crystal Lake stores water needed for the City of Ouray's augmentation plan and is available for emergency firefighting when a fire starts in this remote area.

By signing this petition in support of the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act of 2025, you are indicating you want to preserve Crystal Lake and free public access for future generations.

THE CRYSTAL RESERVOIR CONVEYANCE ACT WILL:

• REPAIR AND REFILL CRYSTAL LAKE: Allow the City of Ouray, at its own cost, to repair Full Moon Dam and refill Crystal Reservoir within the original footprint of the lake. A Congressionally Directed Conveyance is the most efficient and effective path to restore the beauty and function of Crystal Lake swiftly. The City will work with the State's Dam Safety team.
• IMPROVE DROUGHT RESISTANCE AND WATER SECURITY: The Colorado Water Plan emphasizes multipurpose water storage, watershed health, and proactive local water management. Ownership of Crystal Reservoir will enable the City of Ouray to enhance water security for its residents, improve drought resilience, and implement conservation strategies consistent with the Plan's objectives.
• PRESERVE FREE AND FULL PUBLIC ACCESS FOREVER: The Conveyance Act (as drafted) guarantees permanent public access easements for all trails and routes and full public access for all recreational activities within or around the 45-acre conveyance parcel. It guarantees that the conveyed land can only be used as undeveloped public open space, free of charge for all recreational activities in perpetuity.
• PROVIDE A CRITICAL PUBLIC SAFETY AND WILDFIRE RESPONSE ASSET: With increasing threats of wildfire in the San Juan Mountains, the reservoir serves a critical role in regional wildfire mitigation. Local control will allow the City to integrate the reservoir into comprehensive wildfire response and forest health strategies, improving emergency preparedness and watershed resilience.
• PROTECT FRAGILE FEN AND WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS: Upstream wetlands will be protected from impairment or harm from the operation of the reservoir.
• SAFEGUARD ALL VALID EXISTING RIGHTS.
• BAN COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act has broad support from local governments in Ouray and San Juan Counties and from key stakeholders who helped the USFS acquire Crystal Lake and Full Moon Dam in 2003. Please join us by showing your support and signing our petition.

Your support helps us get a conveyance bill introduced into Congress. After it is conveyed to the City, it can quickly be repaired and refilled, restoring essential water for municipal use, firefighting, wildlife, and recreation. The Conveyance guarantees that Crystal Lake will remain undeveloped with free and full public access to the lake and trails in perpetuity.

More info at www.savecrystallake.org