I attended a friend’s retirement party this past week. On my way home I noticed the late afternoon clouds allowing the sun’s rays to stretch out over the water. Without much thought I pulled into the parking lot so I could take a photo. Wonderful memories of my youth ran through my mind. I lived about nine blocks south of this spot. So, I would ride my bicycle to this lake and fish for Crappie along this south bank. This side of the lake was lined with large rocks and cottonwood trees, whose roots reached into the water, providing a wonderful habitat for the fish.

Lake Loveland was created in 1893 out of a swampy depression known as Hays Lake. In early years, the primary purpose of the lake was irrigation for farming, but the majority of the lake is now owned by the City of Greeley who uses it for a domestic water source. The lake is fed by ditch waters diverted from the Big Thompson river. When full, Lake Loveland fills a basin of 475 acres with a deep-water depth mark of 39.45 feet. After loading the images onto my computer I felt a bit regretful not staying longer, letting more memories rise in my mind and soul. Those were good days.