The Burlington Ditch, located in Adams County, was constructed in the late nineteenth century by the Burlington Ditch, Reservoir and Land Company (Burlington Ditch Company), which had been incorporated in 1885 by Arthur E. Meek, John P. Heisler, Alvan Taylor, Joseph M. Brown, and Peter O’Brian, and was expanded during the early twentieth century. Once completed in 1888, the Burlington Ditch measured 42 feet across the top, 30 feet across the bottom, and 4 feet deep. This massive structure diverted water from the South Platte River and the First, Second, Third, and Sand Creeks for 20 miles northeast to the Barr and Oasis Reservoirs for agricultural irrigation. Water for the Burlington Ditch was appropriated, or claimed, in 1861; adjudicated, or judged in a court of law, in 1884; and built from 1885 to 1888. This was shortly after Brighton was recognized as an official city in 1881.

A field feeder ditch (5AM465.5) associated with the Burlington Ditch will be impacted (piped) by the development of the Retreat at Brighton Ridge, an affordable housing project located in the City of Brighton. The segment is 1,250 feet long and the ditch is unlined and V-shaped in cross-section, approximately 6 feet across the top, 4 feet across the bottom, and between 2 and 4 feet deep. The channel is currently choked with grasses, Russian thistle, and small elm trees, indicating water does not flow regularly through the ditch and is no longer maintained and cleared. There are two culverts along this recorded segment. Much of this area is now residential and commercial development, with the historic farms and their irrigation systems no longer present. This segment of the ditch is the only part of the system of field feeder ditches that remains unpiped and intact. 
 

Authors: Stephanie Slaughter and Ross Campbell of SWCA Environmental Consultants

Keywords: Burlington Ditch, Adams County, Irrigation Ditch, Commercial Canal Company