The Spearfish irrigation system was planned and constructed in the 1870's. Originally there were 12 ditches crossing the valley, eventually irrigating some 3,700 acres. Horses aised to help dig these ditches. The early crops that settlers grew were oats, potatos, turnips and apples.
These irrigation ditches were critical to farms and livestoke in Spearfish Valley as well as the economy. Many original irrigation ditches still operate today, open from May - Sept to help irrigate farms in Spearfish Valley.
Here at this location is the irrgation channel of the Ramsdel Ditch & Gay Ditch built in 1876-1877 and still flowing!
Check out the Spearfish Irrigation Project video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZgRd-tzg8
This regular-sized cache in in the area surrounding the irrigation ditch at ground level - not in the ditch itself but nearby in a nice cozy hiding spot. When you arive the ditch sign, start looking around, but do beware of muggles! Should be lots of kid-friendly tradables and some also for kids at heart.