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1965 Map of Dry Creek

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Dry Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Grand Mesa National Forest dominates the upper reaches of this mid-1960s landscape, where high plateaus give way to a complex system of agricultural water management. The southern slopes of the mesa are etched with essential irrigation infrastructure, including the Overland Canal, Highline Ditch, and Stingley Ditch, which redirect water from drainages like Leroux Creek to support the lower ranching lands. This survey captures a rural economy built on the dual pillars of water rights and resource extraction.

Local industry is clearly marked by several mining operations such as the Farmers Mine, Bennett Mine, and Ward Mine, scattered across the slopes of Oak Mesa and the surrounding draws. The domestic and agricultural center of the area is represented by the Seven X Ranch, situated near the confluence of local gulches. This document serves as a detailed record of the Colorado Western Slope's development, showing how natural landforms like Spaulding Peak and Durkee Ridge dictated the paths of Pack Trails and water conveyance systems.