The canal in front of you connects Shadow Mountain Reservoir to Grand Lake, the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. Built as part of the Colorado–Big Thompson Project, water from Lake Granby is pumped back up to Shadow Mountain Reservoir and thus Grand Lake. Water then flows through the Alva B. Adams Tunnel, located on the far end of Grand Lake, for 13 miles to Estes Park and finally into the Big Thompson River.
The footbridge spanning the channel is part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project and can be used to block the flow of water between the lake and the channel. See the Bureau of Reclamation information panel on the bridge to learn more about the history and importance of the bridge. You will notice that the central section has been elevated to let boat traffic pass underneath. Walk across the bridge for great views. Three accessible fishing platforms line the canal where you can try your luck at catching lake, rainbow, brown and brook trout and kokanee salmon.