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1954 Map of Big Mesa

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Big Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Gunnison River and the subsequent flooding of the Blue Mesa Reservoir dominate this mid-century landscape on the boundary of Gunnison and Saguache counties. Published in 1973 based on earlier field checks and 1970 revisions, the map reveals the transformation of the canyon floor into a massive waterway, a significant hydraulic shift for the region. The high plateau of Big Mesa rises sharply to the south, marked by the Big Mesa triangulation station and several scattered prospects that suggest historical mining activity in the area.

Evidence of ranching and early habitation appears in the southern reaches, with the Shaw Ranch situated near the headwaters of Wolf Creek. A network of drainage systems like Willow Creek, Steuben Creek, and Beaver Creek feed into the reservoir from the north and east. This edition provides a clear record of the area’s transition, noting landmarks such as Blaine Rock and the settlement at Hierro before further modern developments reshaped the canyon.