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1955 Map of Cameo

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Cameo
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Colorado River carves a deep, winding path through the high desert of Mesa County, defining the industrial and agricultural potential of the mid-1950s. At the heart of the canyon, the settlement of Cameo serves as a critical junction for the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, supporting a localized energy and transport economy. This industrial presence is anchored by a Power Plant and a nearby Mine, while the Cameo Siding facilitates the movement of resources along the river corridor.

Sophisticated water engineering is evident through the Government High Line Canal and the Orchard Mesa Siphon, which diverted the river's flow to transform the arid surroundings into productive land. The landscape is characterized by sharp elevation changes, from the heights of Mount Lincoln and the De Beque Plateau to the broad expanses of Whitaker Flats. Local drainage features such as Jerry Creek and Coal Canyon highlight the complex erosional history of the basin before it meets the river.