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

Mining Ditches

By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

1. Mining Ditches Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the 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° 47.826′ N, 120° 53.57′ W. Marker is in Coloma, California, in El Dorado County. Marker 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

By Syd Whittle, March 29, 2009

2. Mining Ditches Marker

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

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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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cabin of James Marshall (a few steps from this marker); Saint John’s Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); 200th Anniversary of James W. Marshall's Birth (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emmanuel Church (about 500 feet away); James W. Marshall (about 500 feet away); El Dorado County Jails (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sutter Mill Cemetery – 1848 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles 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

A Mining Ditch image. Click for full size.

By Syd Whittle, March 39/2009

3. A Mining Ditch

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,571 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 30, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.