Gunnison Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Gunnison Tunnel is a 5.8 mile (9.3 km) irrigation tunnel constructed between 1905 and 1909 by the Bureau of Reclamation. At the time of its completion, it was the longest irrigation tunnel in the world. The tunnel diverts water from the Gunnison River
in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the arid Uncompahgre Valley
around Montrose, Colorado
.
The tunnel opened in 1909 to much fanfare and dedication ceremony attended by President
William Howard Taft
.
In 1972, the tunnel was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE).
Gunnison River
The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, long, in the Southwest state of Colorado. It is the fifth largest tributary of the Colorado River, with a mean flow of 4320 ft³/s .-Description:...
in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the arid Uncompahgre Valley
Uncompahgre Valley
The Uncompahgre Valley is an agricultural valley of the Uncompahgre River around the town of Montrose in the western part of the U.S. state of Colorado...
around Montrose, Colorado
Montrose, Colorado
The City of Montrose is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 15,479 in 2005. The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S...
.
The tunnel opened in 1909 to much fanfare and dedication ceremony attended by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
.
In 1972, the tunnel was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers is a professional body founded in 1852 to represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE's vision is to have engineers positioned as global leaders who strive toward...
(ASCE).
Further reading
Bureau of Reclamation - Uncompahgre Project