1962 Map of Big Hill Bayou

About this map

Big Hill Bayou Wildlife Management Area dominates the eastern landscape of this coastal Jefferson County survey, illustrating the complex hydrology of the Texas Gulf Coast in the early 1960s. The region is defined by a labyrinth of marshes and water bodies, including Willow Slough Marsh and Shallow Prong Lake, which are interconnected by the winding course of Big Hill Bayou. This landscape shows the footprint of mid-century industrial and water management infrastructure, evidenced by the Intracoastal Waterway cutting through the southern marshlands and the presence of a Pumping Station and several prominent pipelines. Named terrain features like Gum Island and Hog Island rise as landmarks above the surrounding wetlands, while larger reservoirs such as Big Hill Reservoir indicate the significant modification of the natural flow to support regional water needs.