French missionaries christened the local creek 'Fontaine qui Bouille',

 or 'Boiling Fountain'. Today it is known as Fountain Creek.

 

The creek originates in Ute Pass and flows through Colorado Springs to the Fountain Valley.

It then joins the Arkansas River in Pueblo.

 

Native Americans traveled hundreds of miles to the creek, attracted to its waters that fed the Manitou Springs.

 

On his failed summit of the peak named after him, Lt. Zebulon Pike followed Fountain Creek in his attempt.

 

In the Western United States, water is a very precious resource.

Fountain Creek has been a source of water for agriculture, people, and wildlife.

 

At times, Fountain Creek has become just a trickle of water, but also at times it has grown into a raging river, sweeping away everything in its path.

 

This water was a great benefit to early settlers that irrigated fields as early as the 1860's.

 

That irrigation continues to some extent today, making this valley an oasis in an otherwise dry climate.