Ruxton Creek facts for kids
Ruxton Creek is a stream that flows through Manitou Springs. This town is located in El Paso County, Colorado. The creek is named after George Fredrick Augustus Ruxton. He was a British explorer and writer. Ruxton Creek is one of three main streams in Manitou Springs. It starts in Englemann Canyon and flows right into the town. The famous Iron Springs geyser also comes from this creek. It is one of the special Manitou Mineral Springs.
Contents
Where Does Ruxton Creek Get Its Water?
Ruxton Creek is part of the larger Arkansas River Watershed. This watershed is on the south side of Pikes Peak. Many smaller streams and reservoirs feed into Ruxton Creek. These water sources are very important for the Colorado Springs area.
How Water Makes Electricity
The water from Ruxton Creek and its sources is used to make electricity. Two special power plants, called hydroelectric plants, use this water. They are the Ruxton plant and the Manitou plant. Together, these plants can make six megawatts of electricity. This power helps the Pikes Peak region.
| Water Source | Power Plant |
|---|---|
| Middle Beaver Creek | Ruxton plant |
| Lake Moraine | Ruxton plant |
| Lion Creek | Ruxton plant |
| Sheep Creek | Ruxton plant |
| Willow Creek (from Big Tooth Reservoir) | Manitou plant |
| South Ruxton Creek (from Big Tooth Reservoir) | Manitou plant |
| Cabin Creek | Manitou plant |
Important Reservoirs
Two large reservoirs hold water for these plants. Lake Moraine was finished in 1891. It can hold a huge amount of water: 431,000,000 gallons! Big Tooth Reservoir was built later, in 1929. It holds up to 90,300,000 gallons. Water from the south side of Pikes Peak was the first main water source for the city of Colorado Springs.
After the water goes through the power plants, it travels to a water treatment plant called Mesa. Any water that stays in Ruxton Creek eventually flows into Fountain Creek.
History of Ruxton Creek Area
The area around Ruxton Creek has an interesting history. In 1891, the Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway was built here. This special train line followed Ruxton Creek. It carried passengers all the way to the top of Pikes Peak.
A few years later, in 1895, an electric trolley line was added. This trolley took people from Manitou Avenue to the railway station. Another train line, the Colorado Midland Railway, also ran along Ruxton Creek starting in 1886.
Joseph G. Heistand opened the Iron Springs Hotel near the Ute Iron Spring. This was between the mid-1880s and 1900. He also drilled the Iron Springs Geyser in 1910. People believed its high iron content made it a very strong "tonic" for health.
