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2021 Map of Ervay Basin SW

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Ervay Basin SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

The Rattlesnake Hills dominate this portion of Natrona County, where the high desert landscape is defined by traditional western freighting routes and isolated water sources. The Waltman Sweetwater Freight Rd cuts through the basin, following a historic corridor for transportation across the drainage divides. Higher elevations are marked by landmarks like Black Mtn and the distinct formation of French Rocks near the eastern boundary.

Water management is vital in this arid environment, evidenced by the Boyle Reservoir and several named springs such as Little Cross Spring and McKenzie Spring. The map traces the complex headwaters of Deer Cr and Sage Hen Cr, separated by the Deer Creek-Dry Creek Divide. These features suggest a landscape primarily utilized for livestock grazing and movement, where seasonal meadows like Little Cross Meadows provided essential forage in an otherwise dry terrain.