Henson Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henson Creek |
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The confluence of Henson Creek (left) and Lake Fork Gunnison River in Lake City, Colorado.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sunshine Mountain in Hinsdale County, Colorado 38°00′06″N 107°34′25″W / 38.00167°N 107.57361°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Lake Fork Gunnison River 8,661 feet (2,640 meters) 38°01′32″N 107°18′52″W / 38.02556°N 107.31444°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lake Fork Gunnison River—Gunnison—Colorado |
| River system | Colorado River Basin |
Henson Creek is a stream located in Hinsdale County, Colorado, United States. It begins high up in the San Juan Mountains near Sunshine Mountain. The creek then flows until it meets the Lake Fork Gunnison River in the town of Lake City, Colorado.
A smaller stream, North Fork Henson Creek, joins Henson Creek close to Capitol City, Colorado. From there, Henson Creek generally flows towards the east. It runs alongside Hinsdale County Road 20, which is part of the scenic Alpine Loop National Back Country Byway. The creek also passes through Henson, Colorado, which is now a ghost town. This area was once home to the Ute-Ulay Mine.
The Old Dam Story
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There's an old hydroelectric dam on Henson Creek near the Ute-Ulay mine site. This dam was called the Hidden Treasure Dam. It used to provide electricity for the mine.
In 1973, something big happened to the dam: it broke! This caused a lot of water to rush downstream, leading to flooding and making the water dirty. Even today, the dam is still standing, but you can see a large hole in it from the road.
