Near Granby in Grand County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Against the Flow

Photographed by Leslie Eudy

1. Against the Flow Marker

Inscription.
Against the Flow

Water is the most pivotal natural resource in the West. It dictates agricultural, industrial, and domestic use and growth. In 1890, the legislature funded a feasibility study for transporting western slope water to the eastern plains through a transmountain diversion process. The study concluded the project was infeasible both physically and financially ~ however, the idea wasn’t abandoned. When Congress established Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915, they included legislation allowing for the future construction of a water project.

In the 1930’s the Great Depression and the “dust bowl” (the nation’s worst drought on record) devastated the West. Civic leaders in Greeley funded a second study in 1933. These second findings determined that the process was feasible. In 1937 the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District formed and, with the Bureau of Reclamation, built the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. The project was constructed between 1938 and 1957, at a cost of $160 million.

The Arapahoe National Recreation Area (ANRA) was created by an Act of Congress in 1978. It encompasses 36,000 acres.

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Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District views the Upper Colorado River Resevoirs as an insurance policy. During wet seasons the District uses water available on the East Slope to meet most of their needs, but during the dry seasons the West Slope system becomes an insurance policy from which to draw from. Having this reserve helps to minimize the impacts of water fluctuation on agriculture, industry, and domestic use. In addition, it provides a highly valued recreation facility for everyone to enjoy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Man-Made Features.

Location. 40° 9.192′ N, 105° 53.322′ W. Marker is near Granby, Colorado, in Grand County. It is on U.S. 34, on the right when traveling north. Marker is along Lake Granby, south of the Indian Peaks Marina. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Granby CO 80446, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies and on the Continental Divide.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

Against the Flow Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, September 17, 2026

2. Against the Flow Marker wide view

Marker is on the left.

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Nation's Backbone (here, next to this marker); Not Even Ghosts, But Rather Phantoms (here, next to this marker); Ancient Peoples Lived Near Windy Gap (approx. 5.7 miles away); The Smith-Eslick Cottage Camp (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Smith Eslick Cottage Court (approx. 7.6 miles away); Why Did They Come? (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Smith-Eslick Family (approx. 7.6 miles away); Automobiles Come to Grand Lake (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Granby.

Photographed by Leslie Eudy, September 17, 2026

3. Map Detail

“The Dirty Thirties,” the dustbowl years image. Click for full size.

National Archives Photo

4. “The Dirty Thirties,” the dustbowl years

Credits. This page was last revised on September 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 18, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.