History
According to information provided by the Berthoud Historical Society, the Handy Ditch began diverting water from the Big Thompson in 1880s in order to supply summer irrigation water to local farmers and year-round domestic water to the fledgling towns of Loveland and Berthoud. Initially, the Handy Ditch could only divert water when the Big Thompson was running high with excess flow, mostly during the spring and early summer snowmelt.
In 1905 the Welch Reservoirs were purchased by the Handy Ditch for the price of $10,000. The reservoirs allowed for the storage of irrigation water, extending the length of the irrigation season and increasing the amont of water that could be diverted from the Big Thomspon. Today the Welch Reservoirs still serve as the the heart of the Handy Ditch.