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1968 Map of Basin Mountain

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Basin Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Southern Ute Indian Reservation Boundary cuts across this high-desert landscape in La Plata County, marking a significant cultural and political border in the late 1960s. The eastern edge of the map is defined by the winding course of the Animas River, where water management and transportation infrastructure meet at the Weaselskin Bridge and along the Sunnyside Ditch. The small settlement of La Posta sits near the river's bank, serving as a focal point for the surrounding canyon country.

Industrial activity is evident through numerous Oil Wells and a Pipeline that traverses the high ridges, including Basin Mountain and Black Ridge. The interior is characterized by complex drainage systems such as Indian Creek and Sawmill Canyon, supported by vital water sources like McCullough Reservoir and Indian Spring. This map reveals a period of resource extraction and ranching utility, with features like the Peabody Well and several cattle reservoirs scattered throughout the rugged gaps.