1962 Map of Cactus Reservoir

About this map

The White River valley south of Coal Ridge reveals a landscape defined by water management and mineral extraction in the early 1960s. This arid stretch along the Moffat and Rio Blanco County line is networked with vital reservoirs, including Cactus Reservoir, Darwin Reservoir, and the Box Elder Reservoir series, reflecting the necessity of irrigation and livestock watering in the high desert. The presence of the Staley-Gordon Mine near the riverbank points to the region's industrial ties, while a lone Footbridge over the main channel indicates localized crossings in an area otherwise reliant on a Jeep Trail and Pack Trail network. Notable terrain features like Hatch Flats and drainage systems such as Skull Creek and Red Wash illustrate the complex topography that early ranchers and miners navigated.