Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway
Hanging Flume Turnout, CO

Clinging to the massive Wingate Sandstone cliffs some 100-150 feet (31-46 meters) above the Dolores River Canyon, you can see remnants of the Hanging Flume. Built from 1888-1891, the 17 mile-long flume delivered 23 million gallons of water per day from the San Miguel River to operate the hydraulic mining equipment at the Bancroft Placer site. Even though the site was only 40 feet (12 meters) above the Dolores River, the technology was not yet available to pump the water directly from the river at the necessary volume and pressure to wash the gold from the gravel.