Grand Lake covers 507 acres in Colorado and drops to 265 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Allowed; town license. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.
Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.
Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.
Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.
Daily values from USGS. Loading up to one year.
Idealized cross-section. Max depth 265 ft, average 85 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.
Allowed; town license
What a median-priced home on Grand Lake actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.
| Principal & interest | $55,006 |
| Property taxes | $9,135 |
| Hazard insurance | $3,654 |
| Flood insurance | $650 |
| Utilities | $2,700 |
| Maintenance reserve (1.1%) | $9,570 |
| Septic service | $520 |
| Well & water testing | $260 |
| Dock maintenance | $900 |
| Winterization / seasonal close | $750 |
| Shoreline / seawall reserve | $960 |
| Total | $84,105 |
Prices here are meaningfully lower than the lake an hour north for water that is nearly as clear. Fewer restaurants and services, which is the tradeoff.
Main channel is fantastic. Some of the back coves get shallow and mucky by late summer. Walk the actual shoreline before you commit, not just the listing photos.
