ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Water is flowing through parts of the 71-mile High Line Canal for the first time since May 2015. Denver Water is sending water down the canal from the South Platte River after replacing a 130-year-old diversion dam in Waterton Canyon.
In 2015, Colorado experienced a high spring runoff that destroyed the dam sitting 1.5 miles up the canyon. The wooden structure built between 1880 and 1883 washed away in the runoff. Denver Water successfully replaced the High Line Canal diversion structure in 2016.
Denver Water typically only runs water to the canal, with an 1879 water right, periodically from April to October. The water runs depend on the availability of South Platte River water and demand from irrigation customers. With the new dam complete, Denver Water is able to send water to the canal once again with the current conditions.
Walk2Connect Walking Movement leaders and the High Line Canal Conservancywill lead 14 community walks along the canal in the coming months to share this outdoor resource with the community. The walks will take place from June to November on Sundays, Saturdays and Tuesdays, all starting at 7:30 a.m. on the weekends and 6 p.m. on Tuesday over this time period.
The High Line Canal starts in Douglas County at Waterton Canyon and runs to Green Valley Ranch in northeast Denver. The path of the canal falls within one mile of hundreds of thousands of residents.
