Two Buttes fish salvage order rescinded after reservoir dries
Editor’s note: Since publication, we’ve learned that Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducted aerial seeding of the nutrient-rich reservoir bed on March 18. A native seed mix of sand lovegrass, oats, yellow blossom sweet clover, maximilian sunflower, and white yarrow was applied as a proven method to support the return of deer, turkey, quail, pheasant and other wildlife while the reservoir is dry.
March 24, 2026
SPRINGFIELD, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife has rescinded the emergency fish salvage order at Two Buttes Reservoir State Wildlife Area in Baca County after the reservoir dried completely, temporarily ending fishing opportunities.
Two Buttes Reservoir relies on precipitation events that create flow in Two Buttes Creek, an intermittent stream that is typically dry but can carry significant runoff when storms track across southeast Colorado. Those flows fill and sustain the reservoir.
Extended drought conditions can cause lake levels to decline significantly and, in some cases, allow the reservoir to dry completely, as is currently the case.
Current conditions at the reservoir highlight the challenges intermittent prairie reservoirs face during extended dry periods in southeast Colorado. Many prairie reservoirs in eastern Colorado depend on episodic storm runoff rather than consistent inflows, meaning water levels and fishing opportunities can vary dramatically from year to year. Despite current conditions, the reservoir has a strong history of producing quality fishing when water returns.
“Two Buttes Reservoir is an excellent fishery, and when stocked, fish grow quickly in its highly productive waters,” said Jim Ramsay, CPW aquatic biologist. “When full, Two Buttes Reservoir can become one of the best warmwater fisheries in Colorado.”
The reservoir has produced strong populations of largemouth bass, wipers, saugeye, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie.
“There aren’t many fishing opportunities in the far southeast corner of Colorado, so it’s a big deal when Two Buttes fills up,” said Brian Marsh, CPW property technician for the Two Buttes State Wildlife Area. “We monitor storm systems and flows in Two Buttes Creek closely because those runoff events are what bring water back to the reservoir.”
Though the reservoir is currently dry, nearby Black Hole Pond, below Two Buttes Dam, continues to provide fishing opportunities. The pond maintains good water levels and is stocked annually with largemouth bass, green sunfish, bluegill, channel catfish and rainbow trout (seasonally). In addition to fishing, the wildlife area offers hunting opportunities throughout the year.
The reservoir is located 15 miles north of Springfield and approximately 31 miles south of Lamar, east of Highway 287.
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PHOTO CUTLINES:
Top photos: Two Buttes Reservoir sits dry in these photos taken today, March 24, CPW photos/Jim Ramsay
Bottom photos: Two Buttes Reservoir during a quality fishing year in these undated images, Photos courtesy of Baca County
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
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