Farming

Since 1859, Clear Creek has provided water through irrigation ditches to farmers east of Golden. Many such ditches were dug in the 1800s, including the Welch Ditch, originally Vasquez Ditch; Church Ditch, originally Golden City and Ralston Creek Ditch; Agricultural Ditch; Rocky Mountain Ditch, originally Table Mountain Ditch, Wanamaker Ditch, Swadley Ditch, Wadsworth Ditch, Croke Canal, and Oulette Ditch. These irrigation ditches turned what had been called the Great American Desert into prosperous farming communities including Wheat Ridge and Arvada, which receive Clear Creek water. Crops included wheat, fruit, and carnations.

Golden, Colorado · United States