1949 Map of Gilbert Lake

About this map

Sage Creek and its seasonal drainage patterns define this mid-century landscape in Converse County. Mapped as part of the Missouri River Basin development program, the area showcases a rural ranching economy centered around water management and transport. Gilbert Lake sits at the heart of the southern terrain, fed by the Gilbert Ditch, illustrating the critical role of irrigation and water storage in this arid environment. Transportation through the hills is facilitated by the Ross Road and the Glenrock-Ross Road, which connect the remote Smith Ranch to larger regional hubs. The presence of a prominent Pipe Line running through the southern sections points to the early energy infrastructure that would become a staple of the Wyoming landscape. This topographic record preserves the specific layout of fencelines and windmills essential to high-plains operations before the era of modern consolidation.