Boulder Creek (Colorado)
Encyclopedia
Boulder Creek is a 31.4 miles (50.5 km) creek draining the Rocky Mountains
to the west of Boulder, Colorado
, as well as the city itself and surrounding plains.
and Nederland
into Barker Meadow Reservoir, a water supply for the city of Boulder http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4972&Itemid=2104, before joining North Boulder Creek to form the main stem of Boulder Creek.
From its source at the junction of North and Middle Boulder creeks, Boulder Creek flows down Boulder Canyon and through downtown Boulder. On the east edge of the city, the creek receives South Boulder Creek, which rises at Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide, just south of the Moffat Tunnel
. South Boulder Creek flows 40 miles (64.4 km) through Rollinsville
, Gross Reservoir, and Eldorado Canyon before leaving the mountains and curving past the south and east sides of Boulder to its mouth. After leaving the city, Boulder Creek flows northeast into Weld County
, where it joins St. Vrain Creek
and ultimately flows into the Mississippi River
and the Gulf of Mexico
.
, fly fishing
, and wading. The Boulder Creek Festival takes place during the summer along the creek in Central Park.
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
to the west of Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, as well as the city itself and surrounding plains.
Route
The creek is formed by two main tributaries rising along the Continental Divide: North and Middle Boulder Creek. North Boulder Creek forms in a valley between Navajo Peak and Arikaree Peak on the Continental Divide, in the Green Lakes chain of lakes. The creek flows 17.8 miles (28.6 km) past the community of Switzerland Park to join Middle Boulder Creek. Middle Boulder Creek rises as two forks from the Continental Divide: the North Fork rises in a cirque below Mount Neva and flows 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to the South Fork. The South Fork rises at Rollins Pass on the Continental Divide and flows 5.5 miles (8.9 km) to the North Fork. From the junction of the two forks, Middle Boulder Creek, 13.7 miles (22 km) long, flows east through the towns of EldoraEldora, Colorado
Eldora is a census-designated place in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. The population was 142 at the 2010 census.Eldora is located within the Roosevelt National Forest and lends its name to a local ski resort...
and Nederland
Nederland, Colorado
The Town of Nederland is a Statutory Town established in 1885 located near the Continental Divide and Barker Meadow Reservoir in the mountains of southwest Boulder County, Colorado....
into Barker Meadow Reservoir, a water supply for the city of Boulder http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4972&Itemid=2104, before joining North Boulder Creek to form the main stem of Boulder Creek.
From its source at the junction of North and Middle Boulder creeks, Boulder Creek flows down Boulder Canyon and through downtown Boulder. On the east edge of the city, the creek receives South Boulder Creek, which rises at Rogers Pass on the Continental Divide, just south of the Moffat Tunnel
Moffat Tunnel
The Moffat Tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, the tunnel's first railroad traffic passed through in February 1928....
. South Boulder Creek flows 40 miles (64.4 km) through Rollinsville
Rollinsville, Colorado
Rollinsville is a census-designated place and a U.S. Post Office located in Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 181.It is located in the mountains southwest of the city of Boulder, on the flank of a hill above South Boulder Creek along State Highway 119...
, Gross Reservoir, and Eldorado Canyon before leaving the mountains and curving past the south and east sides of Boulder to its mouth. After leaving the city, Boulder Creek flows northeast into Weld County
Weld County, Colorado
As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
, where it joins St. Vrain Creek
St. Vrain Creek
St. Vrain Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately long, in north central Colorado in the United States. It drains part of the foothills north of Boulder and the Colorado Piedmont area in the vicinity of Longmont.The creek is formed by the confluence of North and South St....
and ultimately flows into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
and the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
Recreation
Boulder Creek forms much of the natural beauty of downtown Boulder. It is a popular summer recreational spot for many outdoor activities, including tubingTubing (recreation)
Tubing is a recreational activity where an individual rides on top of an inner tube, either on water, snow, or through the air. The tubes themselves are also known as "donuts" or "biscuits" due to their shape.-Water:Tubing on water generally consists of two forms: towed and free-floating, also...
, fly fishing
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
, and wading. The Boulder Creek Festival takes place during the summer along the creek in Central Park.