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1953 Map of Hoe Ranch

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Hoe Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

The Powder River snakes through this high plains landscape, defined by a network of ephemeral drainages and established ranching operations. The map provides a detailed view of livestock-rearing infrastructure during the mid-20th century, notably the Hoe Ranch and Irigaray Ranch. These sites, along with Falxa Camp, highlight the era's reliance on localized water sources such as Hoe Spring and several artesian wells.

Sophisticated land management is evident in the presence of Spreader Dams along the riverbanks, designed to capture runoff and irrigate the arid basin. The geography is deeply etched by numerous named drainages, including Curtis Draw, School Section Draw, and Windmill Draw, which feed into the primary river system. This survey, co-sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission, reflects the intersection of traditional agricultural land use and federal interest in the region's geological resources.