The Continental Divide

The Continental Divide is the topographic line that separates the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean drainages. The Divide in North America runs down the spine of the Rocky Mountains between Alaska and Mexico over the highest points between the drainages. At an elevation of 12,095' above sea level, Highway 82 over Independence Pass is the highest paved road crossing of the Continental Divide in North America. This location also marks the boundary between Lake County and the Pike-San Isabel National Forest to the east, and Pitkin County and the White River National Forest to the west., Captions: , Top left: Lake Creek The Grizzly Tunnel (right) brings water from the Roaring Fork and Lincoln Creek drainages under the Continental Divide to Lake Creek, the source of Twin Lakes. Changes in flow due to diversions has damaged both Lincoln and Lake Creeks. Photos: Mark Fuller , Bottom left: Roaring Fork River The Roaring Fork River is the second-largest tributary to the Colorado River in the State with some of its flow diverted east under the Continental Divide through the Twin Lakes Diversion System (photo right: Lost Man Diversion Canal). Photos: Mark Fuller , Middle: The broad reach of the divide The Continental Divide is a geographic designation that runs along the highest points between Alaska and Argentina, separating the Atlantic and the Pacific watersheds. The land in North America west of the Divide drains to the Pacific Ocean while the land east of the Divide drains to the Atlantic Ocean. , Right: The snow fence experiment In the mid-1960s, tons of snowfence were deposited and built around the Pass in an experiment to capture more winter snows and thereby increase water for runoff. The experiment failed and the snowfence was abandoned on the ridges surrounding the Pass. The Independence Pass Foundation led a successful effort to remove the debris which was smothering out tundra plants and had been a hazard to hikers and skiers. Photo: Mark Fuller . This historical marker was erected by The Independent Pass Foundation. It is Near Aspen in Pitkin County Colorado