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1966 Map of Firehole Basin

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Firehole Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Flaming Gorge Reservoir dominates this mid-1960s landscape, illustrating the transformative impact of water management on the Green River canyon system. The map documents a geography in transition, where the rising waters of the reservoir began to fill deep cuts such as Firehole Canyon and Middle Firehole Canyon. Along the river’s original course, numerous alluvial flats like Scott Bottom, Whalen Bottom, and Cordwood Bottom are clearly delineated, representing the low-lying areas most affected by the new water levels.

Beyond the water's edge, the terrain rises sharply into the high plateaus and peaks of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Landmark formations such as North Chimney Rock and Wilkins Peak provide vertical contrast to the broad expanse of the Firehole Basin. Evidence of human presence is sparse but specific, including the Sage Creek Ranch and various radio facilities, alongside the natural hazards of the landscape like the Lauder Slide and the winding Chicken Springs Draw.