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1955 Map of Cameo

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Cameo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Colorado River currents carve through the deep canyons and high plateaus of Mesa County, defining the industrial and agricultural corridors of the mid-1950s. The settlement of Cameo serves as a focal point for infrastructure, where the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad parallels the riverbank near Cameo Siding. This area represents a critical intersection of energy and water management, featuring a Power Plant, a Mine, and the sophisticated irrigation engineering of the Highline Canal and Orchard Mesa Siphon.

The landscape transitions from the flat expanses of Whittaker Flats and Cobert Flats to the prominent heights of Beavertail Mtn and Mount Lincoln. Transportation history is etched into the terrain via the Beavertail Mtn Tunnel, while numerous drainages like Coal Gulch and Cottonwood Creek suggest the complex local hydrology. The presence of a Gaging Sta along the river highlights the ongoing monitoring of this vital western waterway during a period of significant regional development.