Dry Fork Flume Site

Remains of the flume supports egamalfi (Atlas Obscura User)

Dry Fork Canyon has been historically difficult to farm. These ruins of an old flume mark one failed attempt to bring water to the agricultural community.

Despite Dry Fork Creek running through the region, the area is rampant with sinkholes that absorb and divert creek water, leaving many homesteaders without a way to care for their crops. In 1893, the Uintah Milling & Flume company set out to build a permanent wooden flume to carry water from the creek to the community.

Unfortunately, the flume had some major issues. When completed in 1897, it leaked profusely, washing away some of the support pillars and causing the chute to collapse. Ultimately, the project was abandoned.

While the main chute has been removed, the remaining wooden supports of the flume are still visible today. The forest nearby is still littered with felled trees that the original builders intended to use as timber for the project.

Know Before You Go

The Flume Site is part of a larger trail with multiple trailheads accessible from the road.

For easiest access, visitors can park at the upper trailhead and hike 1.5 miles to the site. The uppermost trailhead has no formal marking, but does have a parking area. The road is unpaved and four-wheel-drive vehicles are encouraged, but not necessary in dry conditions.

Visitors can also park at the middle trailhead parking lot and hike approx. 3.5 miles to the flume site. The flume site is located at mile 6 from the lowest trailhead.