40.501722, -104.966639
Although Union Colony planned four ditches, only two were built. Greeley #2 was the second ditch constructed. When completed, it was larger and more ambitious than any other project along the river. The project began in late 1870 and was finished in the spring of 1871. All members of Union Colony contributed to pay for the ditch and were expected to assist in its maintenance and operation costs.
Greeley #2’s first season of operation was disappointing and many farmers lost much of their crop for lack of water. In late 1871, the canal was enlarged and altered in an attempt to improve water delivery and prevent another poor harvest. In 1871-1872, a diversion dam was built to help divert the necessary water. The enlargements and the dam were expensive projects for the Union Colony, but 1872 proved to be an excellent year for agriculture and the farmers of the colony enjoyed an abundant harvest.
Seeing Union Colony’s success, the Fort Collins Agricultural Colony began construction of their ditches in 1873. By 1874, the ditches of both colonies were in full operation. But 1874 was incredibly hot and dry, and the river’s flow was low. There was not enough water to serve the Greeley #2 and all the other demands being made on the river. As the lifeblood of Union Colony, the Greeley #2 became the focus of an angry confrontation at the Eaton Schoolhouse on July 15, 1874. A long awaited rain defused the conflict, but the issue of prior appropriation (first in time, first in right) was openly proposed as a means of resolution.
The Greeley #2 was enlarged twice following the dry year of 1874, which proved expensive and the cost of maintaining the canal continued to rise. In 1878, the ditch and its water rights were sold to the farmers who used it. The farmers incorporated as the New Cache la Poudre Irrigating Company which still controls the Greeley #2 Ditch today.
(Sources: Preliminary Inventory of Irrigation and Water-Related Structures in the Cache la Poudre River Corridor, City of Greeley Museums, greeleyhistory.org)
Accessibility
Headgate and diversion structure are on private property. View ditch from trail north of Windsor Lake.
Directions
The headgate is located approximately 1 mile east of I-25, and 2 miles south of Timnath. From Harmony/I-25, head east on Harmony, turn right/south on Three Bell Parkway and proceed 1.5 miles past the Summerfield Pkwy to where the paved road (and public access) ends. The ditch lies approximately .2 miles south, with the headgate to the west. This site is on private property and is not accessible to the public. The ditch itself can be viewed in many places in Weld County, north of Greeley. In Windsor, easily view the ditch from the Town of Windsor Trail on the north end of Windsor Lake.
