The Hanging Flume’s Prominence in History
Recognition and Protective Measures
In 1980, the Hanging Flume was listed as a
historic site on the National Register of
Historic Places.
In 1999, Colorado Preservation Inc. placed
the Flume on its annual list of the most
endangered historic places in Colorado.
In 2004, through a grant from the State
Historical Fund, a team of archaeologists,
engineers and local researchers conducted an
assessment of the site. They discovered that
as construction progressed, the builders used
fewer materials such as nails, washers, etc.
This economizing may have been due to
the fact that financiers of the project were
running out of money.
Researchers were also surprised to discover
seven additional sites and 16 trails or trail
fragments associated with the Hanging Flume.
Most of the trails were supply trails used to
distribute construction material to strategic
locations along the rim of the canyon above
the Hanging Flume.
In 2006, the Hanging Flume was placed on
the World Monument Fund’s “100 Most
Endangered Sites” list. The Hanging Flume
shares this listing with the sites pictured to
the left. This listing affords international
recognitioin and support in seeking grants
and technical assistance.
