San Luis People's Ditch

The San Luis People's Ditch, in operation since its construction in 1852, is the oldest irrigation system in continuous use in Colorado.

The ditch is located at 8000 feet in elevation and is supplied with water by Culebra Creek.

Originally, the land adjacent to the ditch was divided into strips approximately 100 yards wide and 16 to 20 miles long. This allowed settlers to have irrigated farmland near the ditch and also have access to range and timber land.

Today, the ditch is 4 miles long and irrigates 1600 acres of farmland.

Source:

Baker, T. Lindsay et al. Water for the Southwest: Historical Survey and Guide to Historic Sites. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers, 1973.

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