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1971 Map of Forked Gulch

Name: 1971 Topographic Map of Forked Gulch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Naval Oil Shale Reserve dominates this 1970s landscape in Garfield County, reflecting a period of intense focus on domestic energy development and industrial extraction. Centered on the rugged high-country drainages of Parachute Creek and its many forks, the map documents an extensive network of infrastructure, including an Oil Shale Plant and numerous Drill Hole locations. This industrial activity is superimposed on a landscape defined by sharp topographical features and family-named landmarks like Lindauer Point, Glover Point, and Schoolhouse Point.

Water sources are vital in this high-elevation terrain, with named features such as Lone Tree Spring and Pete Spring Gulch providing critical points of interest for historical researchers. The map also captures natural landmarks like East Middle Fork Falls and East Fork Falls, where the terrain drops sharply from the Long Ridge and Short Ridge. The prevalence of Jeep Trails throughout the gullies and ridges indicates the remote, utilitarian access patterns of the era.