Coloma in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mining Ditches

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

1. Mining Ditches Marker

Replacement Marker.

Inscription. Mining ditches were dug by ditch companies to carry vast amounts of water needed for placer mining. Thousands of miles of ditches and flumes were built in the gold country; some brought immense profits to their owners. As mining declined in the 1860s, the same ditches were used for irrigating orchards, vineyards and pastures in the foothills. This ditch is seven miles long, and now carries irrigation water to local farmers. The hillside terraces you see here were used to grow fruit trees and grape vines. Some of them were dug by James Marshall.

Erected by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 47.839′ N, 120° 53.564′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. It is on Marshall Parkway, on the left when traveling north. This section of Marshall Parkway is a one-way narrow road and, by car, may only be accessed from the James Marshall Monument Parking Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coloma CA 95613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Saint John's Church (a few steps from this marker); Cabin of James Marshall

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(a few steps from this marker); Marshall's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint John’s Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); James W. Marshall (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 200th Anniversary of James W. Marshall's Birth (about 500 feet away); Emmanuel Church (about 500 feet away); Fate Picks Marshall (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coloma.

More about this marker. Marker is located next to the Marshall Cabin within the boundaries of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Additional keywords. Gold Rush

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

2. Mining Ditches Marker

Original Marker.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, January 21, 2023

3. Mining Ditches Marker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

4. Mining Ditches Marker

The ditch can be seen to the right of the marker.

A Mining Ditch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 39/2009

5. A Mining Ditch

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,453 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 23, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4, 5. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.