The Larimer and Weld Irrigation

Future Governor Benjamin Harrison Eaton was an early pioneer in ditch construction in the region. He began construction of the Eaton Ditch in 1864 and later built the Larimer County Canal #2. The Larimer and Weld Canal or Eaton Ditch was, at the time of completion, the largest and longest irrigation canal in the state. Eaton understood that a well-... established irrigation system would be essential to the sound economic development of northern Colorado. He did everything he could to assure that it happened. Development was so rapid that by 1882 the Poudre Valley was declared one vast network of irrigating canals. The Larimer and Weld Irrigation Company was incorporated on March 10, 1879. There were originally 1423 shares issued on a mutual basis. The canal diverts waters from the Cache La Poudre River northwest of Fort Collins and travels generally eastward for 40 miles. There are approximately 75 miles of main laterals operated by lateral companies and several hundred miles of private laterals. Shares in the following companies constitute ownership of deliverable water in the LWIC system. Other companies in the area will also allow transfer of water into the Larimer & Weld system subject to their specific rules for transfer. Larimer & Weld Irrigation Company (a.k.a., river water/early water) Larimer & Weld Reservoir Company (a.k.a., Terry Lake/late water/storage water) Divide Canal & Reservoir Company (a.k.a., Eaton Reservoir/Worster Reservoir) This water is storage water and only available to those with shares in Divide Canal Colorado Big Thompson (a.k.a., CBT/Horsetooth) This water stock is not managed by our offices but can be transferred into our system as dictated by the Northern District and the owners of the stock. Shares owned in the following companies constitute the ability to run water in the system or carrying rights only. No actual water is owned by the shareholders of these entities unless they own shares in those companies noted above.Read More