2022 Map of Gould NW

About this map

The Michigan River and its many distributaries dominate this Jackson County landscape, revealing an intricate network of early 20th-century irrigation engineering. This high-country basin is defined by an extensive system of man-made waterways, including the Wales Ditch, Hugh Griffith Ditch, and the Michigan Association Ditch. These features reflect the area's agricultural development and water rights history, where every major stream flow is channeled to support the surrounding plains. The confluence of the Illinois River and Michigan River near the western boundary, alongside features like the Jackson Reservoir, illustrates the vital importance of water management in this high-altitude environment. Researchers can trace the legacy of local landholders through family-named features such as the Nellie E Ditch, Mathews Ditch, and Bostwick Ditch, which crisscross the territory between various draws like Mann Draw and Sudduth Draw.