Built by English capitalists, the Highline Canal was an engineering marvel using topography and natural flow to water the southeast quadrant of the metropolitan Denver area. Unlike canals in the eastern United States, this often dry western irrigation ditch was never used for transportation. Today the service road along the canal has been converted by the Denver Water Department to a meandering trail where hikers, bikers, roller bladers, and joggers enjoy the cottonwood-lined banks inhabited by racoons, foxes, rabbits, and waterfowl.