National and State Register

Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company Flume No. 6

Montezuma County

The Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company Flume No. 6 (also known as the McElmo Creek Flume) was part of a large irrigation system that aimed to deliver water to arid areas of the Montezuma Valley, and which allowed agriculture and ranching to become a major economic component in the area. 

A view of the flume with logs crossing the top elevated over the scattered vegetative landscape below.

Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company Flume No. 6

In 1921, the flume (originally built in 1896) was upgraded from what was most likely a box flume to a semi-circular flume.  In 1955, the original wood cradles were made more stable by the installation of a steel and concrete substructure.  The Flume is the only remaining flume from the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company and is representative of frontier technological innovation.

National Register

Address

Cortez vicinity

Site Number

5MT.20000