Query: G.N.I.S.

See also: Welch Ditch.

Welch Ditch is a historic irrigation structure built in the 1870s that runs along the south side of Clear Creek. Though no longer in use, remnants of the wooden flume are visible and offer historical interpretation opportunities.

ACRES: N/A

CLASSIFICATION: Natural Area

ATTRIBUTES: Cultural, Ecological, Passive Visitation

ACCESS AND TRAILS:

DESIGNATED PUBLIC ACCESS: No

TRAILS: No

KEY FEATURES:

• Remnants of historic irrigation flume
• Located within scenic Clear Creek corridor
• Contributes to historical character of Golden
• Historic irrigation infrastructure preservation

MANAGEMENT NOTES:

• Preserved as cultural resource; interpretive signage recommended
• No public access except where designated trails cross the ditch
• Erosion and vegetation maintenance within stormwater drainageways are essential for effective flow conveyance, sediment control, and ecological health.

Elevation: 5738ft, 1749m.

Articles that refer to this location:

• 19th Street, Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado: at Welch Ditch; 
• 23rd Street, Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado: at Welch Dirch; 
• Checklist Flora of Native and Naturalized Vascular Plants of Golden and Vicinity, Jefferson County, Colorado: Welch Ditch OS; 
• Lookout View Drive, Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado: at Welch Ditch; 
• Sunset Drive, Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado: at Welch Ditch (N); 
• Field Notes: 26 Apr 2026; 

Area Plant Lists that contain this location:

• Area Plant List for City of Golden Open Space.
• Area Plant List for Golden.

Welch Ditch, north of Lookout View Drive.

Species collected at or near this location.

This list summarizes plants collected or observed at this specific, named location. It does not include plants collected or observed at nearby named or unnamed locations. It may be more instructive to use the Area Lists that contain this location.

• TAS – The plant was collected by Tom Schweich.
• Oth – The plant was collected by someone, but not Tom.
• Obs – The plant was observed, but not collected.

Cupressaceae

Juniperus. Horticultural Juniper (Obs) CC:?

Pinaceae

Picea pungens Engelm. Colorado Blue Spruce (Obs) CC:6

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco glauca (Beissn.) Franco. Douglas-fir (Obs) CC:5

Anacardiaceae

Rhus trilobata Nutt. trilobata. Skunkbush Sumac (Obs) CC:5

Apiaceae

Smyrnieae

Conium maculatum L. Common Poison Hemlock (Obs) CC:0

Apocynaceae

Vinca minor L. Lesser Periwinkle (Obs) CC:0

Asteraceae

Astereae

Chrysopsidinae

Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners. Hairy False Goldenaster (Obs) CC:3

Pentachaetinae

Ericameria nauseosa (Pall. ex Pursh) G.L.Nesom & G.I.Baird graveolens (Nutt.) Reveal & Schuyler. Goldy-Locks (Obs) CC:3

Cardueae

Carduinae

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada Thistle (Obs) CC:0

Cichorieae

Crepidinae

Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg. Common Dandelion (Obs) CC:0

Scorzonerinae

Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow Salsify (Obs) CC:0

Cynareae

Arctium minus Bernh. Lesser Burdock (Obs) CC:0

Heliantheae

Helianthinae

Helianthus pumilus Nutt. Little Sunflower (Obs) CC:4

Berberidaceae

Berberis aquifolium Pursh. Holly-leaf Oregon-Grape (Obs) CC:0

Boraginaceae

Cynoglossum officinale L. Gypsyflower (Obs) CC:0

Brassicaceae

Alyssum simplex Rudolphi. European Madwort (Obs) CC:0

Chorispora tenella (Pall.) DC. Crossflower (Obs) CC:0

Hesperis matronalis L. Dame's Rocket (Obs) CC:0

Thlaspi arvense L. Field Penny Cress (Obs) CC:0

Cactaceae

Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. Western Pricklypear (Obs) CC:3

Campanulaceae

Campanula rapunculoides L. Rampion Bellflower (Obs) CC:0

Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera tatarica L. Tatarian Honeysuckle (Obs) CC:0

Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook. Western Snowberry (Obs) CC:3

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium album L. Lambsquarters (Obs) CC:0

Convolvulaceae

Convolvulus arvensis L. Field Bindweed (Obs) CC:0

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia myrsinites L. Myrtle Spurge (Obs) CC:0

Fabaceae

Lathyrus latifolius L. Perennial Pea Vine (Obs) CC:0

Vicia americana Willd. American Vetch (Obs) CC:5

Grossulariaceae

Ribes aureum Pursh. Golden Currant (Obs) CC:6

Lamiaceae

Salvia. Horticultural Salvia (Obs) CC:0

Stachys byzantina K. Koch. Lamb's Ear (Obs) CC:0

Linaceae

Linum lewisii Pursh. Prairie Blue Flax (Obs) CC:4

Oleaceae

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall. Green Ash (Obs) CC:0

Polygonaceae

Rumex crispus L. Curley Dock (Obs) CC:0

Rosaceae

Amygdaloideae

Amygdaleae

Prunus. Horticultural Prunus (Obs) CC:0

Prunus americana Marshall. American Plum (Obs) CC:6

Prunus virginiana L. Chokecherry (Obs) CC:4

Maleae

Cotoneaster lucidus Schltdl. Hairy Stem Cotoneaster (Obs) CC:0

Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. Common Apple (Obs) CC:0

Rosoideae

Roseae

Rosa. Horticultural Rose (Obs) CC:0

Rubiaceae

Galium aparine L. Sticky Willy, Cleavers (Obs) CC:1

Salicaceae

Populus deltoides Marshall monilifera (Aiton) Eckenw. Plains Cottonwood (Obs) CC:3

Santalaceae

Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. pallida (A. DC.) Piehl. Pale Bastard Toadflax (Obs) CC:5

Sapindaceae

Acer negundo L. Box Elder (Obs) CC:4

Simaroubaceae

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle. Tree of Heaven (Obs) CC:0

Ulmaceae

Ulmus pumila L. Siberian Elm (Obs) CC:0

Asparagaceae

Agavoideae

Agaveae

Yucca glauca Nutt. Soapweed Yucca (Obs) CC:4

Iridaceae

Iris L. Horticultural Iris (Obs) CC:0

Poaceae

Bromeae

Bromus inermis Leyss. Smooth Brome (Obs) CC:0

Bromus tectorum L. Cheat Grass (Obs) CC:0

Poeae

Dactylis glomerata L. Orchard Grass (Obs) CC:0

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Date and time this article was prepared:3:15:41 PM, 8/1/2026.