Colorado-SW

The Short Ditch begins in what was once described as Midway, a point in the valley of the North Fork of the Gunnison south of Paonia and north of Hotchkiss. From here it follows the base of the ridges and slopes to its terminus south of Hotchkiss. It is defined as a mutual ditch and was originally owned and operated by The Short Ditch Company. The segment of the ditch in this Storymap is owned by the Short Ditch Extension Company.

The Cañon Irrigation Ditch was first appropriated in April of 1857 and adjudicated in October 1883. The ditch is priority number 22 for this district and was originally allocated 42.7 cfs of water. The Cañon Irrigation Ditch is one of the oldest irrigation ditches in the state. The resource (along with the Antonito and San Juan San Rafael ditches) played an important role in the agricultural and community development of Antonito, Mogote, and Paisaje, Colorado and the surrounding areas. The resource was previously determined eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criteria A.