1986 Map of Freighter Gap

About this map

The Continental Divide traverses this high-desert landscape in Sweetwater County, marking the hydraulic split between the Great Basin and the Atlantic slope. This mid-1980s provisional survey focuses on the physical geography of the Red Desert region, characterized by significant landforms like Bush Rim and the steep descent of Split Rock Canyon. Water sources are critical markers in this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of Chicken Springs and Freighter Spring near the pass known as Freighter Gap. While primarily a map of terrain and drainage, the inclusion of a Gas Well indicates the industrial footprint of energy exploration that began to shape this part of Wyoming during the late 20th century. Seasonal watercourses such as Bush Creek and Alkali Draw define the erosion patterns across the high plains.