Castlewood Canyon State Park
Encyclopedia
Castlewood Canyon State Park is a Colorado
state park
near Franktown, Colorado
. The park protects a unique part of Colorado's history (the Castlewood Canyon Dam). Visitors can still see the remnants and damage from that dam which burst in 1933. The event sent a 15 feet (5 m) wave of water all the way to downtown Denver resulting in a flood. Also contained with the park is the historic Cherry Creek Bridge
.
, Castle Wood Canyon encompasses 2136 acres (9 km²) with elevations ranging from 6,200 to 6600 feet (2,011.7 m). Many urban dwellers come for the picnic opportunity away from the city (group picnic facilities can be reserved), others visit the park because of the unusual geology, particularly the Caprock features.
, mountain lion, meadow jumping mouse, golden eagle, prairie falcon, virile crayfish
, Woodhouse's toad
and the northern leopard frog.
Ecosystem Zones in the park are Grasslands, Shrublands, Riparian, Foothills-Conifer, and Caprock
.
Castlewood Canyon is on the edge of the Palmer Divide
, a geologically upraised area that results in more moisture falling than is normal in Eastern Colorado and waters the Black Forest
.
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
near Franktown, Colorado
Franktown, Colorado
Franktown is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, in the United States. The population was 395 at the 2010 census. The Franktown Post Office has the ZIP Code 80116. Pike's Peak Grange No...
. The park protects a unique part of Colorado's history (the Castlewood Canyon Dam). Visitors can still see the remnants and damage from that dam which burst in 1933. The event sent a 15 feet (5 m) wave of water all the way to downtown Denver resulting in a flood. Also contained with the park is the historic Cherry Creek Bridge
Cherry Creek Bridge
The Cherry Creek Bridge is a concrete arch bridge spanning Cherry Creek near Franktown, Colorado. State Highway 83 runs atop it. It was built in 1948 by J.H.& N.M. Monaghan & Associates and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
.
Recreation
This park hosts a multitude of hiking/running trails and rock climbing opportunities. Located within the northernmost extension of the Black ForestPalmer Divide
The Palmer Divide is a ridge in central Colorado that separates the Arkansas River basin from the Missouri River basin. It extends from the Front Range of the Rockies in central Colorado, eastward toward the town of Limon....
, Castle Wood Canyon encompasses 2136 acres (9 km²) with elevations ranging from 6,200 to 6600 feet (2,011.7 m). Many urban dwellers come for the picnic opportunity away from the city (group picnic facilities can be reserved), others visit the park because of the unusual geology, particularly the Caprock features.
Wildlife, Ecology, and Geography
Among the many species living in the park are coyote, cottontail rabbit, red fox, black bear, prairie rattlesnakeCrotalus viridis
Crotalus viridis is a venomous pitviper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Currently, nine subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.-Description:...
, mountain lion, meadow jumping mouse, golden eagle, prairie falcon, virile crayfish
Orconectes virilis
Orconectes virilis is a species of crayfish known as the virile crayfish or the northern crayfish.-Ecology:Orconectes virilis can be found under stones in lakes, streams and wetlands, where they hide from predators, such as fish. They are identified by the brown of rust-red carapace and large...
, Woodhouse's toad
Bufo woodhousii
The Woodhouse's Toad, is a medium-sized true toad, which is native to the United States and Mexico. There are two recognized subspecies. The epithet woodhousii is in honor of the American physician and naturalist Samuel Washington Woodhouse. B...
and the northern leopard frog.
Ecosystem Zones in the park are Grasslands, Shrublands, Riparian, Foothills-Conifer, and Caprock
Caprock
The Caprock is a region in the Panhandle of Texas . It is the land to the west of the Caprock Escarpment, which separates it from plains stretching to the east at a much lower elevation....
.
Castlewood Canyon is on the edge of the Palmer Divide
Palmer Divide
The Palmer Divide is a ridge in central Colorado that separates the Arkansas River basin from the Missouri River basin. It extends from the Front Range of the Rockies in central Colorado, eastward toward the town of Limon....
, a geologically upraised area that results in more moisture falling than is normal in Eastern Colorado and waters the Black Forest
Black Forest, Colorado
Black Forest is a census-designated place near Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. The population was 13,116 at the 2010 census. Black Forest is named such for the high density of Ponderosa Pines located in a generally small area...
.