The Ouray Ice Park is not only a recreational ice climbing venue but also an engineering effort, combining natural and manmade elements. In addition to the hard work of many dedicated people, the world-renowned Ouray Ice Park exists thanks to an overflow of excess water from the City of Ouray’s spring-fed supply tank; a clever layout of irrigation pipe; more than a hundred garden-variety shower heads; a little knowledge of fluid mechanics; and the perfectly located
deep, shady, and cold Uncompahgre Gorge.
Technical facts about the Ouray Ice Park:
- Water source: overflow from the City of Ouray water supply tank 0.25 mile to the west
- Gravity-fed system; no pumps, no motors
- Water pressure: incoming water pressure is 105 psi; pressure on the other side of the pressure-reducing valve is 50 psi
- Lineal feet of irrigation pipe: 7,500 feet throughout the Park
- Type of pipe: Yellow mine irrigation pipe
- Water supply: 150 shower heads
- Average flow rate per shower head: 2 gallons per minute
- Typical water pressure: 30 psi at the South Park climbing area (farthest upstream point)
- Number of gallons per night: 150,000–200,000 gallons
- Length of open and climbable terrain: more than 1 mile
- Cumulative vertical climbing terrain: more than 3 miles
“Ice climbing, hot tubbing, and a cool mountain-town vibe put Ouray on the map. ” – National Geographic Adventure (February 2006)