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1978 Map of Grandfather Falls

Name: 1978 Topographic Map of Grandfather Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

Wisconsin River power and industrial history dominate this 1970s landscape in Lincoln County, centered on the significant drop at Grandfather Falls. The infrastructure of the era is clearly visible, including the Grandfather Dam, its associated Powerplant Substation, and the heavy Penstocks that channel the river's force. The transition from industrial use to recreation is evident in the presence of Camp New Wood County Park and the School Camp near the riverbanks.

Evidence of the region's logging and transport heritage is marked by several stretches of Old Railroad Grade cutting through the townships of Harding and Rock Falls. Moving away from the main river corridor, the terrain is defined by numerous smaller water bodies and wetlands, including Morrison Lake and June Lake, alongside tributary systems like Averill Creek and Berry Creek. Significant river features like Posey Rapids and Bill Cross Rapids highlight the natural character of the waterway before it was fully harnessed for power.