Hildebrand Ranch Diversion Structures

Jefferson County, Colorado

When Jefferson County Open Space (JCOS) acquired the Hildebrand Ranch Open Space property, it came with old water rights and four ditches with associated diversion structures that pull water from Deer Creek for agricultural uses. JCOS operated all four structures annually since acquiring them. One of these structures, the Old Time Ditch, collapsed and was replaced with a new structure in 2015. The remaining three, the Hayland, Sezell, and Garden diversion structures have seen little maintenance or repairs since they were built in the 1960s-80s.

In November 2020, JCOS’s Park Construction team installed Sutron Data Recorders (SDRs) and stilling wells at each diversion structure per the State Water Commissioner’s request. In 2021, JCOS completed a 90% design with another consultant. In 2023, JCOS hired Muller to complete full design of the remaining three structures, including obtaining all necessary permits, and then construction administration services. As part of these tasks, Muller reviewed the previous work and determined what could be reused. Construction on this project is slated to begin in late 2024.

OWNER

Jefferson County Open Space

SERVICES

Stormwater & Floodplain Management

EXTERNAL lINK

Hildebrand Ranch Park Webpage

Statistics

3 Diversion Structure (Ditch) Designs

“This is a project that should be widely copied for several reasons. As all of our major metropolitan areas become more and more crowded, those of us who make decisions impacting the built environment have a responsibility to create places where previously incompatible functions can not only work together but positively enhance each other. At 6th and 19th we now have a major traffic corridor working better while greatly improving the adjacent residential, pedestrian and recreational uses. Every day thousands of vehicles pass quietly underneath while pedestrians safely cross through an inviting park, hundreds of bicyclists pass overhead on their way up Lookout Mountain, and students from the Colorado School of Mines experience a close connection between their dormitories and the center of campus. Houses in the neighborhood have undoubtedly increased in value as their owners enjoy a quieter and more connected neighborhood.”