The Farmers Ditch

opening day April, 2011

yard sign we found at 1109 Pine

ditch boat race

homemade boats

Included in the purchase of our house at 1109 Pine are water rights to the Farmers Ditch that runs behind our house.  Once we get our connection up and running, we will be able to irrigate our yard using water from the ditch.  While the ditch is located across the alley from our back yard (about 30 feet from our fence), there is already underground piping from the ditch to our property.  We need to replace a small section of the piping and we should be in good shape.  Our 1/16th share of the Farmers Ditch allows us to water on select days while the ditch is running, which is approximately from April-October.  The history of the Farmers Ditch is interesting.

Constructed in 1862, the Farmers Ditch is one of the oldest ditches in Boulder.  It was originally constructed to help farmers in north and central Boulder irrigate their land.  Built by J.A. Tourtellot and Jermone Thomas at a cost of $5,500, the 8 miles of ditch was one of the first sources of water for most of the city of Boulder.  The little side ditches, called laterals, brought water to nearly every home in Boulder and ran almost all year long.  Each lateral was constructed two feet wide and 8 inches deep and was lined in cobblestones.  These laterals were eventually replaced by a more efficient municipal system and the underground conversion was partly funded real estate developers who were building new homes and subdivisions throughout Boulder.   In 1953, for example, a siphon was built to carry the Farmers Ditch under North Boulder Park, allowing for 16 new homes.  Today, the remaining ditches give some residents an opportunity to irrigate their land, but more importantly, they add tremendous charm to the city.  Our dog Shiloh bathes in the creek nearly everyday in the summer after we take him running or hiking and the boys just had their first boat race along the Farmers ditch.