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1956 Map of Boettcher Lake

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Boettcher Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

High-altitude homesteads and a sophisticated network of irrigation ditches define this mid-century look at the North Park basin. The North Fork North Platte River meanders through the valley floor, supporting agricultural interests like the Shafer Ranch and Boettcher Ranch. The landscape is a study in early mountain water management, featuring numerous named canals such as the Helena Ditch, Shafer Ditch, and Little Nellie Ditch that redirect water from mountain creeks to the valley's arid rangelands.

Within the Routt National Forest, the terrain rises toward Bear Mountain and Sheep Mountain. Evidence of early resource extraction and tourism are found at the Monahan Coal Mine (Aband) and Fort Boettcher (Resort). Genealogy researchers can find specific family locations including the Brown Homestead, Monahan Homestead, and Fliniau Homestead, which mark the era of localized settlement before the consolidation of larger ranching operations.