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1973 Map of Hells Canyon

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Hells Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

The Short Pine Hills define the northwestern corner of this landscape, giving way to the deep cut of Hells Canyon as it drops toward the open plains. In the early 1970s, this portion of Harding County remained primarily rangeland, characterized by scattered water resources like Leger Dam and intermittent drainages. The South Fork Moreau River meanders across the southern portion of the sheet, joined by smaller tributaries including Cady Creek and Ash Creek.

Evidence of local ranching operations and resource exploration is visible through landmarks such as Dunn Ranch and a remote Landing Strip. The topography is marked by distinctive erosion patterns, including Ash Coulee and several designated Wells, reflecting the necessity of water management in this arid environment. This survey captures a moment when the regional economy relied heavily on these dispersed outposts and the seasonal flow of the Moreau River system.