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2011 Map of Gurley Canyon

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Gurley Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The San Miguel River cuts a prominent path through this high-altitude landscape, where the legacy of hydraulic and placer mining is etched into the terrain. Mining history is centered around features like the Granger Placer Mine, Pekin Placer Mine, and the southern Sunup Mine, alongside the Beaver Perkin Placers. These sites illustrate the region's enduring connection to mineral extraction.

Water management is vital in this arid environment, evidenced by an intricate network of irrigation and storage systems. The Gurley Dam and its corresponding Gurley Reservoir are supported by numerous named ditches such as the Old Nelson Ditch, Cornforth Ditch, and Bolinger Ditch. From the high point at Little Baldy down to the drainage of Beaver Canyon, the map details a landscape where ranching at San Miguel Ranch and water engineering define the modern era.