New Kleinschmidt Canal Bridge
Our new bridge crosses the historic Kleinschmidt Canal, privately built 1883-86. We own 1866 and 1883 water in the Kleinschmidt, aka, West Gallatin Canal.
In addition to irrigation, the Kleinschmidt was built to power mills as it passed through Bozeman and connect with the East Gallatin River. Due to technological progress and alternative sources of power, electric and such, the waterpower wasn't sufficiently valuable to justify the through-Bozeman phase. Hence, the Kleinschmidt ends at the MSU Experiment Farm, irrigating the farms through which it passes.
Our property includes a mile of "ditch rider" road along the canal. The canal company owns a right of way through our land. We own three water diversions including one from Wortman Spring Creek which passes under the Canal. Amazing what people could do in the 1880s!
The bridge leads to a field where elk like to hang out. We have three 100 acre +/- properties in this conservation easement area. Each has a two-acre building pod designed to build; a 5000 sq. ft.+ house, a guest house, a barn, and appropriate outbuildings such as a shop, hay shed.
The new bridge replaced the wooden bridge I built for Ramona some 40 years ago. The old one safely carried semi-trucks carrying grain or hay. Alas, carpenter ants discovered the timbers are good for food and homes. They ate parts of the timbers and weakened the bridge. Then we had to prop it up to take the occasional semi-truck across.
That's why I built a new steel and concrete bridge. It’s designed to carry 50 ton loads, semi trucks, construction equipment and supplies.
Wooden bridge in background of last photo.
This was a satisfying and enjoyable project. What a great treat to restore and improve the decrepit ranch I saw as a grad student studying Christian communists, the Hutteritian Brethren, in the late 1960s. I hope the next owners of Ramona's and my ranch develop an appreciation of its history. That's one purpose of writing my Liberty, Ecology and Prosperity book.