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1968 Map of Deadman Camp

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Deadman Camp
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The Luis Maria Baca No 4 land grant dominates this high-altitude landscape in the San Luis Valley during the late 1960s. This specific region is defined by a complex network of water management, where the San Luis Creek and Deadman Creek are augmented by extensive human-engineered irrigation systems. The presence of the Farmers Union Canal, Gibson Ditch, and several laterals like the North Central Lateral illustrate the vital importance of water rights and agricultural engineering in this arid Colorado terrain.

Settlement is sparse, concentrated at outposts like Deadman Camp and White Ranch. Dozens of Flowing Wells dot the map, indicating the tapping of the valley's artesian aquifer to support ranching operations. For researchers, the map provides an exact record of fence lines, survey benchmarks such as BM 7544, and primitive transit routes including a Jeep Trail winding through the eastern portion of the quadrangle.