Drake Lake
Aliases: Smith Reservoir, Mahood Reservoir, James Lake
A small lake with great marsh edges and a few trees, this area can be very attractive to ducks, geese, and especially gulls between fall and spring, as long as it is not frozen. The gulls gather here when they are not feeding in the nearby Weld County Landfill. In April and May, shorebirds can visit in good numbers.
Restrictions: Please respect private property. Beware of traffic when parking on the roadside
County: Weld
Directions: From I-25: exit 269-A, CO 14/Mulberry St. and go east for 8 miles. At CR 23, head south and in 0.5 miles, the lake is on the west. Please be respectful of private property.
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: Private
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Hotels in Greeley or Fort Collins
Disabled Access: Viewing from car
Latitude: 40.573379
Longitude: -104.850887
