Coffin v. Left Hand Ditch Company (Colo. 1882)
The first diagram is not to scale, but it shows what the parties were concerned about. For actual maps of the streams and creeks involved, as well as some photographs of the actual diversion gate taken by a former student, scroll down and click any image to enlarge:
A "to scale" diagram of the rivers:
Today, the James Creek gets water from the South Fork of the St. Vrain River through a diversion gate. The gate is located slightly north of Ward, Colorado, where the two rivers run less than half a mile away from each other. The controversy in this case was due to the destruction of a dam. I do not know precisely where that original dam was located. It may have been in the same location as today's diversion gate. But even if not in the exact location, the location of the original dam and today's diversion gate are very close.
"Prior to 1867 James Creek originated from drainages flowing from Duck Lake and had minimal flow. In 1867 James Arbuthnot discovered a low spot over the ridge from the South St. Vrain Creek to James Creek. A ditch was dug from South St. Vrain Creek to James Creek and a gate was placed at the junction to control the flow of water into each creek. . . . This diversion is still operational today and is administered by the Left Hand Ditch Company."
"Prior to 1867 James Creek originated from drainages flowing from Duck Lake and had minimal flow. In 1867 James Arbuthnot discovered a low spot over the ridge from the South St. Vrain Creek to James Creek. A ditch was dug from South St. Vrain Creek to James Creek and a gate was placed at the junction to control the flow of water into each creek. . . . This diversion is still operational today and is administered by the Left Hand Ditch Company."
Here are some photos of the diversion gate taken by a former student:
[Click to Enlarge]
http://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Boulder_County_mine_districts_map.jpg
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/ditchproject/?History:Water_Wars:Coffin_V_Left_Hand
http://jamescreekwatershed.org/about/
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/ditchproject/?History:Water_Wars:Coffin_V_Left_Hand
http://jamescreekwatershed.org/about/