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1968 Map of First Water Draw

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of First Water Draw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

Beaton Basin lies at the heart of this high-plains landscape, where the northern border of Natrona County meets Johnson County. The area is defined by sharp topographic transitions, notably the Black Rock Rim and the Red Wall, which guide the seasonal drainage of First Water Draw and Buffalo Creek. This 1960s survey illustrates a region shaped by intermittent water sources like Clapp Spring and various wells, essential for livestock in an environment characterized by vast open slopes such as Taylor Slope and West Slope.

Transport through this territory relied on early routes like Thirtythree Mile Road and the connection to Hazelton Road, tracing paths through the complex terrain of Lost Canyon. The map records a specific moment in Wyoming ranching and land management, showing the distribution of fences and water improvements across the sections just before modern developments altered the local backcountry infrastructure.