Sprague Lake (Colorado)

{{Short description|Lake in Larimer County, Colorado, United States}}

{{For|other lakes with the same name|Sprague Lake (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox lake

| name = Sprague Lake

| image = Viewatspraguelake.jpg

| caption = Winter view (December 2008)

File:Sprague lake summer view.jpg

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| location = Colorado

| coords = {{coord|40|19|12|N|105|36|17|W|region:US-CO_type:waterbody_source:gnis|display=inline,title}}

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| basin_countries = United States

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| elevation = {{convert|2648|m|abbr=on}}

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| pushpin_map = Colorado#USA

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| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Sprague Lake in Colorado, USA.

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Sprague Lake is a scenic lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, located on the south side of Glacier Creek, about two miles south of the Hollowell turnoff. The half-mile walk around the lake is wheelchair accessible and features boardwalks and bridges with views of Flattop Mountain and Hallet Peak. The lake is popular for Brook trout fishing.

{{cite book

| author = Hosman, Todd

| title = Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park

| year = 2006

| publisher = Streamside Press

| LCCN = 2003090414

| page = 92

}}

The area is named after Abner E. Sprague, who started a homestead there in 1874.

{{cite web

| url = https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/historyculture/time_line_of_historic_events.htm

| title = Time Line of Historic Events

| publisher = National Park Service

| access-date = 2008-12-12

}}

Later, he opened a lodge for dude ranching, hunting, and fishing. To improve the fishing, he dammed the far end of the lake. The area became part of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and continued to serve guests as the Sprague Hotel. In 1919, guests paid $6.00 per room with a private bath, and $1.00 for regular meals.

{{cite book

| title = General Information Regarding Rocky Mountain National Park

| publisher = U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Printing Office

| year = 1919

| location = Washington, D.C.

| page = 35

}}

{{cite book

| title = Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1918

| publisher = G.P.O.

| year = 1919

| location = Washington, D.C.

| page = 981

}}

The hotel, which no longer exists, stood near the present-day parking lot.