Grand Ditch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grand River Ditch
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Grand Lake, Colorado |
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| Area | 460 acres (190 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| MPS | Rocky Mountain National Park MRA (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000218 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1976 |
The Grand Ditch, also called the Grand River Ditch, is a special channel built to move water in the Never Summer Mountains in northern Colorado (United States). It is about 14.3 miles (23 km) long, 20 feet (6.1 m) wide, and 3 feet (0.91 m) deep. This ditch takes water from streams and creeks that flow from the highest peaks of the Never Summer Mountains.
The water then flows over the Continental Divide at La Poudre Pass, which is 10,175 feet (3,101 m) high. This means the water is redirected from flowing west towards the Colorado River and the Pacific Ocean. Instead, it goes east into Long Draw Reservoir and the Cache La Poudre River. This water is then used by farmers on the eastern plains of Colorado. The Cache La Poudre River eventually flows into the Mississippi River and then into the Gulf of Mexico.
Building the ditch started in 1890 and it was finally finished in 1936. The Grand Ditch moves between 20% and 40% of the water that runs off the Never Summer Mountains. On average, it delivers about 20,000 acre-feet (25,000,000 m³) of water each year. This large amount of water being moved has a big effect on the natural environment in the valley below. Because of this, the National Park Service has worked to try and reduce how much water is taken.
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How the Grand Ditch Was Built
The Larimer County Ditch Company built the Grand Ditch. Most of the work was done by Japanese crews using hand tools and black powder. The very first water flowed east across La Poudre Pass on October 15, 1890.
In 1891, the Water Supply and Storage Company took over the ditch. They kept extending it every year, and by 1894, it was three miles long.
Extending the Ditch into Rocky Mountain National Park
After Rocky Mountain National Park was created, more and more water was needed. This led to the plan for Long Draw Reservoir. In 1923, the U.S. Congress approved taking land from the park for this reservoir. The Long Draw Reservoir opened in 1930.
The Grand Ditch was then made even longer. This also needed approval from Congress because it was now inside a national park. The ditch reached its full length of 14.3 miles (23 km) in September 1936.
The 2003 Ditch Breach Incident
In May 2003, a 100-foot (30 m) section of the ditch broke open. This happened about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of La Poudre Pass. When it broke, the water rushed down the mountain slopes and into the Colorado River.
This flood left a clear mark on the mountainside. About 20,000 trees were knocked down, and 47,600 cubic yards (36,400 m³) of dirt and other material ended up in Lulu Creek and the start of the Colorado River. The Water Supply and Storage Company worked with Rocky Mountain National Park to help fix the damage. Over time, other smaller overflows from the ditch have also left debris on the western side of the valley.
Grand Ditch as a Historic Landmark
The Grand River Ditch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 29, 1976. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. Today, you can hike along parts of the ditch starting from the Bowen/Baker Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park.
