Colorado, Jefferson County, Golden
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Since 1859 Clear Creek has provided water through irrigation ditches to farmers east of Golden. Many such ditches were dug in the 1800s, including the Welch Ditch (originally Vasquez Ditch), Church Ditch (originally Golden City & Ralston Creek Ditch), Agricultural Ditch, Rocky Mountain Ditch (originally Table Mountain Ditch, Wanamaker Ditch, Swadley Ditch, Wadsworth Ditch, Croke Canal, and Oulette Ditch.
Since 1859 Clear Creek has provided water through irrigation ditches to farmers east of Golden. Many such ditches were dug in the 1800s, including the Welch Ditch (originally Vasquez Ditch), Church Ditch (originally Golden City & Ralston Creek Ditch), Agricultural Ditch, Rocky Mountain Ditch (originally Table Mountain Ditch, Wanamaker Ditch, Swadley Ditch, Wadsworth Ditch, Croke Canal, and Oulette Ditch.These irrigation ditches turned what had been called the “Great American Desert” into prosperous farming communities including Wheat Ridge and Arvada which are recipients of Clear Creek water. Crops included wheat, fruit, and carnations.
Picture: Waterfall at Lovers’ Leap, escape gate of the Welch Ditch, west side of Mt. Zion, 19th Century. Courtesy Denver Public Library, Western History Department.
Background: Courtesy Denver Public Library, Western History Department.
(Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 1 photo, GPS coordinates, map.