1966 Map of Elk Basin SE

About this map

Powell Flats dominates the landscape of this 1966 survey, revealing the intricate irrigation and road network that defined northern Wyoming agricultural life in the mid-1960s. The town of Powell is situated in the southeastern corner, serving as the hub for a grid of systematically numbered lanes and lateral roads such as Lane Nine and Lateral Ten Road. This layout illustrates the highly organized reclamation and settlement efforts characteristic of the Shoshone Project area. To the west, the topography rises sharply toward the prominent Polecat Bench, a flat-topped landform that contrasts with the fertile valley floor. Water management is central to the area's utility, marked by the Frannie Canal and several pipelines. The map also captures industrial and transport markers of the era, including the Powell Municipal Airport, several Gravel Pits, and a scattering of Drill Holes indicative of regional resource exploration.