2017 Map of Barnum

About this map

Barnum occupies a central point in this high-plains landscape, where the confluence of managed water and complex terrain defines local settlement. The map reveals an intricate network of irrigation systems, including the Barnum Ditch, White Panther Ditch, and Blue Cr Ditch, which redirect water from the Red Fork Powder River and Beaver Cr to support agricultural life in the valley. These human-made channels contrast sharply with the surrounding topography, which is characterized by a series of prominent ridges and draws such as Wide Divide Ridge, Horse Pasture Ridge, and the deep Devoe Canyon. A long tradition of ranching and land use is evident in the naming of features like Buckbrush Butte and Poison Weed Ridge, while the presence of the Big Red Reservoir further highlights the critical importance of water management in Johnson County. This survey provides a clear view of the high-desert landscape as it functioned in the early twenty-first century.