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2021 Map of Hightower SW

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Hightower SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

The Laramie River meanders through this portion of Platte County, defining a landscape shaped by early water management and cattle ranching. A complex network of irrigation infrastructure is visible, including the Gramer Ditch, Mertz Ditch, and Pine Ditch, which redirect water across the high plains. Numerous private impoundments such as Mertz Reservoir, Bohke Reservoir, and Naffziger Reservoir illustrate the critical role of water storage in this semi-arid environment.

To the west, the boundaries of the Medicine Bow National Forest begin, where the terrain shifts toward more significant relief near Ayers Draw and Shapley Draw. Named creek systems like Wagonhound Cr and Marble Quarry Cr provide geographic orientation for researchers tracing land patents or ranching history. The map also documents the remote road network of the day, featuring routes like Palmer Canyon Rd and Fletcher Park Rd.