The Needle Rock Ditch was created on January 25, 1888. At that time, ditch excavation relied on shovels, picks, horses and mule plows. This ditch carries water from the Smith Fork River to farms and ranches on Missouri flats and to the north of Crawford along what is now known as Cottonwood Creek. It was precisely these farmers and ranchers who dedicated their time, sweat, & sacrifice for the establishment of flourishing agricultural businesses in their district. The Needle Rock Ditch is eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for the ditch’s association with local agricultural development between 1888 and 1962.
In the above oral histories, Bill Ayer & Mamie Ferrier recall ditch work from these early days. While they don’t refer to Needle Rock ditch, the techniques & experiences are similar.
The Needle Rock Ditch Company board formed on April 26, 1890 to manage the ditch. J.D. Morron, M.F. Lewis, and N. M. Hiestand were the initial Board Directors. N.M. Hierstand was also involved in local government and served as a Democratic Delta County representative from 1904-6. (The Newspaper (Paonia, Delta County) November 9, 1906).
Scroll through the original Needle Rock Ditch Co. charter:
The water that flows through the Needle Rock Ditch is seasonal runoff from the West Elk mountains. This means that some years it’s a hydrological feast and the water is available for irrigation purposes throughout the summer. Other years it’s famine and businesses and livestock suffer the consequences of drought.
On average there is ample water. The ditch captures and distributes early spring runoff water for agriculture to thrive throughout the growing season in the Crawford area.
Click the playlist icon in the top right of the video above to select segments of the drone footage.
The map below displays the full contours of the Needle Rock Ditch. Please click the image for a zoomable pdf.
Sift through old newspapers, & you’ll find plenty of news about the Needle Rock ditch. There are ditch cleaning updates mixed into gossip columns, board election results, and court rulings. Click the clippings below for article information. Or visit the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection & flip through the newly digitized “Crawford Chronicle”
Curious about the history of piping projects in our region? See the Gould reservoir page for more information.
