Hurricane Canal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hurricane Canal
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Hurricane, Utah |
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| Area | 12.6 acres (5.1 ha) |
| Built | 1904Jo |
| Architect | Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001324 |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1977 |
The Hurricane Canal is a historic waterway in Hurricane, Utah, United States. It was dug by hand to bring water from the Virgin River. This water helped farmers grow crops on the dry land near Hurricane.
Contents
Building the Hurricane Canal
Why Was the Canal Needed?
The Hurricane Canal was built to carry water from the Virgin River to a dry area called the Hurricane Bench. This land was perfect for farming, but it needed water to grow crops. The canal helped create new farms. It also allowed the town of Hurricane to grow after 1906.
How It Was Built
Building the canal was a huge job! It started in 1891 and took 13 years to finish, in 1904. The canal is about 7.5-mile (12.1 km) long. Workers also built a special dam on the Virgin River to direct the water.
The canal itself was 12-foot (3.7 m) wide. Its water channel was 8-foot (2.4 m) wide and 4-foot (1.2 m) deep. Local men did most of the work, usually between November and May. They were paid by people who owned shares in the canal. These shareholders would get water for their farms. Each shareholder could irrigate up to 20 acres (8.1 ha) of land.
Who Organized the Work?
Two important people, James Jepson and John Steele, organized the work. They also set up the shareholder system. J.T. Willis was the superintendent, meaning he was in charge of the construction.
Challenges Along the Way
Building the canal was not easy! The first two dams built on the Virgin River failed. The builders finally made a strong dam from timber and large rocks. Later, concrete was added to make it even stronger.
The canal's path was also difficult. It runs for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) along the side of the Virgin River Canyon. Then it turns south for 3 miles (4.8 km) along the Hurricane Cliffs. Along its route, the canal passes through twelve tunnels and six flumes. Flumes are like bridges that carry water across dips in the land. The original wooden flumes have since been replaced with metal ones.
The Canal Today
The Hurricane Canal was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 26, 1977. This means it's an important historical site.
Today, the canal no longer carries water. Instead, a popular trail now runs along the dry canal bed. Hikers can explore eleven of the original twelve tunnels. It's a great way to see a piece of history!
