History in Stone

stonework chimney
circa mid-1880s
September 2021

Last weekend, my nephew took us on a tour of the ranch. 

The first stop was at a newly finished irrigation diversion, and across the reservoir was a small rock building built as a kitchen to feed the Chinese workers (over 1,000) who dug the Blue Grass irrigation tunnel (flume) through solid rock in 1883. The flume is still used today and is over 2,380 feet long. 

The little building above was built from the rubble removed from the tunnel shaft. Other buildings were built along the small railroad line used to haul the rubble. 

water entering the rock tunnel

the small rock cottage can be seen on the left - just the roof and chimney are visible
September 2021

irrigation water leaving the tunnel
and heading down stream

Because this water is for irrigation only, the water is turned off in the Fall and on in the Spring. Dwight told us when the tunnel is opened in the Spring, it takes over twelve hours for the water to appear at the tunnel exit. 

Crazy brave kayakers ride the rapids that the water creates on the downhill side of the tunnel. Dwight said there are sheer drop-offs and waterfalls. One kayaker told Dwight it is 10 seconds of sheer terror and a 20-minute walk back up to the spot where they launch the kayaks to ride again.