Hydraulic Ditch Diversion Dam

For boaters, the main line is generally straightforward but should be approached with care. At most flows, run center-right and follow the downstream wave train. A prominent rock or pour-over near the center of the crest provides a useful reference—stay to the right of it. At lower flows, the preferred line shifts toward far river left where the drop is cleaner. As with any low-head diversion, conditions vary with level, so scout if you’re unsure. This structure serves as the headworks for the historic Hydraulic Ditch, one of the earliest and most senior diversion systems in Cañon City. Established in the mid-to-late 1800s, it diverts water into a gravity-fed canal that still conveys flow through town and supplies a broader network of irrigation and municipal users.