Jones Pass (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jones Pass |
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|---|---|
| Elevation | 12,454 ft (3,796 m) |
| Traversed by | unimproved road |
| Location | Clear Creek / Grand counties, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range | Front Range |
| Coordinates | 39°46′25″N 105°53′21″W / 39.7735978°N 105.8891785°W |
| Topo map | USGS Byers Peak |
Jones Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, United States. It sits at an elevation of 12,454 feet (about 3,796 meters) above sea level. This pass crosses the Continental Divide, which is like a giant imaginary line that separates the flow of water across North America. Water on one side flows to the Pacific Ocean, and water on the other side flows to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Jones Pass is located in the Front Range of the Rockies.
Contents
The Gumlick Tunnel: A Water Journey
Underneath Jones Pass, there's a special tunnel called the Gumlick Tunnel. This tunnel is a very important part of how water is moved from one area to another. It helps to divert, or move, water from the upper Williams Fork river basin.
Why is the Gumlick Tunnel Important?
The main purpose of the Gumlick Tunnel is to move water from the west side of the Continental Divide to the east side. This water is then used by the City of Denver. It's like a secret underground river that helps supply drinking water to a big city.
How the Water Travels
The water from the Williams Fork enters the Gumlick Tunnel. Instead of flowing into Clear Creek (Colorado) right away, it takes another path. The water is sent north through another tunnel called the Vasquez Tunnel. This second tunnel also passes back under the Continental Divide. Finally, the water reaches the City of Denver through the Moffat Tunnel.
Tunnel Details
The Gumlick Tunnel is quite long, stretching about 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers). It was first finished in 1940 and then made even better in 1957–58. The tunnel has a horseshoe shape, is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) high, and can carry a lot of water. It can move about 550 cubic feet (15.6 cubic meters) of water every second! That's like filling a small swimming pool in just a few seconds.
