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1948 Map of Emerson Nipple

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Emerson Nipple
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Umtanum Ridge and Yakima Ridge define the landscape of this region, which was surveyed in the late 1940s before significant modern alteration. The northern edge of the map is dominated by the Columbia River, where the Chicago Milwaukee St Paul and Pacific railroad tracks trace the shoreline near China Bar. This area of central Washington reflects a sparse, ranch-oriented settlement pattern, anchored by the Roberts Ranch in the south.

Water sources were essential for survival in this arid terrain, as evidenced by the mapping of Artesian Well, Barrel Springs, and Juniper Springs. The topography is marked by significant elevation changes, ranging from the river banks to the prominent peak of Emerson Nipple. Seasonal drainage paths like Cold Creek and Dry Creek carve through the ridges, illustrating the natural water management of the Columbia Basin.