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1961 Map of Figure 8 Reservoir

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Figure 8 Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Powder River carves a winding path through this corner of Johnson County, defining a landscape of riparian agriculture and high desert industry. By the early 1960s, a complex network of canals and an irrigation canal supported a string of homesteads along the riverbanks, including Lund Ranch, Mayor Ranch, and the Gibbs Ranch. These ranching operations are anchored by local landmarks like the Pioneer Monument and the Sutton Sch 1 schoolhouse, reflecting the region's settled cattle-country roots.

Energy extraction and infrastructure shape the southern and northern reaches of the quadrangle. The Dugout Oil Field occupies the south, marked by numerous wells and a network of unimproved roads. To the north, the terrain is dominated by dry washes like Fifteenmile Draw and Strong Draw, while the North Star Prospect indicates the area's history of mineral exploration. Small-scale water management is evident in the presence of the Figure 8 Res and Harper Res, essential features for sustaining livestock in this arid environment.