Gunnison Tunnel

Infobox nrhp
name =Gunnison Tunnel
nrhp_type =


caption =
location =
nearest_city = Montrose, Colorado
lat_degrees = 38
lat_minutes = 29
lat_seconds = 36
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 107
long_minutes = 43
long_seconds = 17
long_direction = W
locmapin=Colorado
area =
built =
architect =
architecture =
added = 1979-07-22
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
refnum = 79000616
mpsub =
governing_body =

The Gunnison Tunnel is a 5.8 mile (9.3 km) irrigation tunnel constructed between 1905 and 1909. At the time of its completion, it was the longest irrigation tunnel in the world. The tunnel diverts water from the Gunnison River in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison to the arid Uncompahgre Valley around Montrose, Colorado.

The tunnel opened in 1909 to much fanfare and dedication ceremony attended by President William Howard Taft.

In 1972, the tunnel was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

References and further reading

[http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/uncomph.html Bureau of Reclamation - Uncompahgre Project]