Ralston Creek (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ralston Creek |
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The creek (center of picture) at its confluence with Clear Creek in Arvada's Gold Strike Park.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Gilpin County, Colorado 39°51′38″N 105°29′54″W / 39.86056°N 105.49833°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with Clear Creek 39°47′53″N 105°03′15″W / 39.79806°N 105.05417°W 5,249 ft (1,600 m) |
| Length | 32 mi (51 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Clear Creek—South Platte— Platte—Missouri—Mississippi |
Ralston Creek is a stream about 32 miles (51 kilometers) long in central Colorado, United States. It flows through towns and cities in the northwestern Denver Metropolitan Area. The creek starts in the foothills of northeastern Gilpin County. This area is part of Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
The creek flows east through a valley into Jefferson County. It passes near Golden, where its water is collected to form Ralston Reservoir and Arvada/Blunn Reservoir. Ralston Creek then flows through Arvada. It joins Clear Creek in southeastern Arvada.
A Golden Discovery
The First Gold Find
In June 1850, a man named Lewis Ralston was traveling to look for gold in California. He stopped near where Ralston Creek meets Clear Creek. Lewis used a special pan to search for gold in the stream.
He found a small amount of gold, about 6 grams, which was worth about five dollars at that time. His friends named the stream "Ralston's Creek" to honor him. However, they all left the next morning to continue their journey to California.
More Gold Seekers Arrive
Years later, in the spring of 1858, William Green Russell and his brothers came to the creek. They also searched for gold there. Later that same year, Lewis Ralston returned to the spot where he first found gold. He brought another group of prospectors with him.
Protecting the Water
In 2010, officials found a natural material called uranium near an old mine. This mine was close to the Ralston Reservoir. The amount of uranium in the groundwater was higher than safe levels for drinking water.
The company that owned the mine, Cotter Corp., took action. They changed the path of Ralston Creek so it flowed around the mine. This helped protect the water supply. The company is now working to clean the contaminated area using a method called bioremediation. This process uses living things to help clean up pollution.
