Lupton saw the potential for a successful trading post on the banks of the South Platte River.

The creek is a tributary of the South Platte River.

The South Platte River looked big and important on maps of Denver.

The mountain's immediate drainage basin is the South Platte River.

Also, the South Platte River serves as the neighborhood's eastern boundary.

News spread rapidly and by autumn hundreds of men were working the along the South Platte River.

A short time later a third town, called Highland, was founded on the west side of the South Platte River.

Some followed the hope of finding gold in the South Platte River.

But today, the South Platte River is in danger.

The reservoir receives water from the South Platte River and stores it for irrigation throughout the summer months.