How Old is The Cherry Creek waterway 

 A great question about a notable waterway in Colorado!

The Cherry Creek waterway, which flows from southeastern Colorado through the city of Denver and into the South Platte River, is a natural stream with a long and varied history. While its exact "age" is difficult to pinpoint, I'll provide some context and insights to help answer your question.

Geological History: Cherry Creek's drainage basin was formed over millions of years through geological processes. The creek's watershed is situated in the Denver Basin, a structural basin created during the Laramide orogeny (around 70-40 million years ago). Over time, erosion carved out the creek's path, which has been shaped by various geological events, including uplift, glaciation, and changes in sea levels.

Pre-Human History (before 1800s): As for the creek's existence as a flowing waterway, it's likely that Cherry Creek has been flowing in some form for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years. The creek's source in southeastern Colorado is near the Palmer Divide, an area where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. The waterway would have been influenced by:

1. Pleistocene glaciation (2.5 million - 11,700 years ago): Glaciers in the Rocky Mountains would have impacted the creek's flow and surrounding landscape.
2. Holocene epoch (11,700 years ago to present): The creek's modern course likely developed during this period, with the waterway adapting to changes in climate, vegetation, and erosion patterns.

Human Settlement and Modification (1800s to present): The creek's "age" in its current, human-influenced form is more recent:

1. Early settlement (1850s): As the city of Denver was founded, Cherry Creek became an important water source for settlers and played a role in the development of the city.
2. Channelization and flood control ( late 1800s to mid-1900s): The creek was modified through channelization, dredging, and the construction of levees and flood control structures to mitigate flooding and support urban growth.
3. Modern management (late 1900s to present): Efforts have focused on restoring the creek's natural habitats, improving water quality, and enhancing recreational opportunities along the waterway.

In summary: While the Cherry Creek waterway has been flowing in some form for thousands to tens of thousands of years, its current, human-influenced configuration is approximately:

• 170 years old (since early settlement and modification)
• 100-150 years old (since significant channelization and flood control efforts)
• Millions of years old (in terms of its geological history and formation)