Men use sledgehammers on a section of riveted metal pipeline that leads down the slope of a hill, probably Gold Hill north of Breckenridge, Colorado. The pipe was used to feed water downhill to a hydroelectric power plant. This may be part of the hydro-plant operations that drew water from Straight Creek to produce power down the Lower Blue River valley.

Spruce Creek hydroelectric plant, almost 4 miles south of Breckenridge, Colorado (on present day Highway 9). Built in the summer and fall of 1900, the plant generated electricity for the Gold Pan Mining Company pit and the Goldpan shops. By summer 1901, the town of Breckenridge and independent mine companies began purchasing electricity. In view is a water ditch and diversion headgate, and a large pile of stacked square logs.