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1965 Map of Dry Creek

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Dry Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Grand Mesa National Forest dominates the upper reaches of this mid-1960s landscape, where high plateaus like Wilbanks Mesa and Oak Mesa give way to a complex system of water management. The terrain is defined by its agricultural and industrial utility, carved by an extensive network of irrigation features including the Overland Canal, Shindledecker Ditch, and Stingley Ditch. These waterways supported life at the Seven X Ranch and provided necessary resources for the area's small-scale resource extraction.

Mining activity is scattered throughout the drainages of Leroux Creek and Cow Creek, with numerous named operations like the Farmers Mine, Bennett Mine, and Landerth Mine indicating a period of active local industry. The presence of several Gaging Stations and reservoirs such as Patterson Reservoir and Hunt Reservoir underscores the critical importance of water control in this high-altitude environment, while landmarks like Spaulding Peak provide clear reference points for those navigating the ridge-and-gulch topography.