Hey you’all: I’m headed on a ditch walk through Boulder to learn about #water #drought and the miracle of water delivery in the #West. Follow me as we walk through town! @CU_CEJ
Fredrick Law Omstead Jr actually designed this diversion structure (also did Jefferson Memorial reflection pool). Omstead also helped lay out Mapleton area streets. Today it’s a kayak chute during high flow times. #water #Boulder
This is a major diversion structure for 5 main ditches in #Boulder. Note the tiny wheel on ground to left. That goes to the oldest ditch near Naropa campus. It’s from 1800s. #water #West
Lots of ditches were built in #Boulder in 1850s and 1860s. Ditches were built before houses to deliver #water to fields. Pretty smart!
Remember how I said that earlier Boulder is home to planning around floods? Well, before Gilbert White came along #Boulder built a bunch of bldgs in #floodplain including a big municipal one pictured here. It had gates to keep water out now