Hanging Flume
Year Listed: 1999
County: Montrose County
Status: PROGRESS
Context: Mining
Date Constructed: 1891
Significance:
Between 1889 and 1891 the flume was constructed with 1.8 million feet of lumber, 100-150 feet above Dolores River and was used to convey eight million gallons of water per day to placer gold deposits.
Threat When Listed:
Natural weathering
Since Listing:
Colorado Preservation, Inc. worked with the Western Colorado Interpretive Association and contracted with Anthony & Associates, Inc. to complete a Historic Structure Assessment in 2003, after supporters secured a grant. The assessment highlighted various construction methods, rock continuation walls and numerous oxcart trails. By 2004, additional funding from the State Historical Fund, Bureaur of Land Management, Bacon Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, John Henricks Family, and Gateway Construction and Design had been secured by the Western Colorado Interpretive Association to document the history and condition of the flume. This phase also lead to the development of a master plan to preserve and interpret the flume that integrated the rive, trails and scenic byway. Vertical Access, professional climbers who ordinarily work on buildings for preservation assessments, rappelled down the canyon walls to help consultants analyze the site. The work was completed in 2005.
The current phase of work includes development and implementation of an interpretive plan and production of construction documents for reproducing a small segment of the flume. Supporters are currently seeking funds for additional documentation of unexplored segments of the flume as well as construction of a larger segment of the flume on the rock face.
The flume was named to the World Monuments Watch List in 2006, opening the possibility of broader exposure and funding sources.
Last Updated:
July 2006