Bellvue in Larimer County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Bellvue Hydraulic Irrigation Laboratory

Photographed by Michael O'Neill, June 21, 2021

1. Bellvue Hydraulic Irrigation Laboratory Interpretive Marker

Inscription. This aerial photograph shows the Bellvue Laboratory in the 1920s. The US Department of Agriculture developed the site as a field laboratory for research on irrigation technology. Here former Colorado Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) professor Ralph Parshall carried out a series of experiments and eventually perfected a water-measuring device that would be used around the world.

The flume that bears his name (see inset) revolutionized irrigation practices by providing a simple, inexpensive, and efficient method to precisely measure the flow of water.

Erected by Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 40° 37.798′ N, 105° 10.08′ W. Marker is in Bellvue, Colorado, in Larimer County. It is on Rist Canyon Road 1½ miles west of US 287 B (U.S. 287 B), on the right when traveling west. The site and the interpretive sign are just east of the bridge crossing over the Cache la Poudre River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellvue CO 80512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Flowers Store and Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away);

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The Flowers House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Cache la Poudre River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dedicated to the Memory of Antoine Janis (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bingham Hill Historic Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); 1862 Log House (approx. 1.6 miles away); This log house was built by French trader Sam Deon in 1858 (approx. 1.6 miles away); Welcome...Cache la Poudre-North Park (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellvue.

More about this marker. The site of the experimental lab is on private property, viewable only from the road.

Regarding Bellvue Hydraulic Irrigation Laboratory. Ralph Parshall (1881-1959), "Father of the Flume") is one of the most celebrated internationally-known alumni and faculty members in the history of Colorado State University. He is best known for developing the Parshall Flume in 1921.

Noticing problems with stream flow measurements, Parshall developed the device that, when placed in a channel, measures the flow of water as it uniquely relates to water depth. The Parshall

Schematic of Parshall Flume, as featured on the Interpretive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael O'Neill

2. Schematic of Parshall Flume, as featured on the Interpretive Marker

Flume is still widely used to help gain more accurate measurements of water flow.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Related marker on the campus of Colorado State University

Additional keywords. Irrigation, Agriculture, Water Use, Climate, Geography

Site view of Bellvue Hydraulic Irrigation Laboratory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael O'Neill, June 21, 2021

3. Site view of Bellvue Hydraulic Irrigation Laboratory Marker

View of the Research Station from the Cache la Poudre River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael O'Neill, June 21, 2021

4. View of the Research Station from the Cache la Poudre River

Closeup of featured historic image of Research Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area

5. Closeup of featured historic image of Research Station

<i>Ralph Parshall next to Parshall measuring flume</i> image. Click for full size.

courtesy of the University of Colorado Libraries

6. Ralph Parshall next to Parshall measuring flume

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2021, by Michael O'Neill of Livermore, Colorado. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 30, 2021, by Michael O'Neill of Livermore, Colorado. 6. submitted on July 2, 2021. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.