1961 Map of Jack Creek Reservoir

About this map

The Continental Divide defines the high-altitude hydrology of this Carbon County landscape, where the management of water is central to the high-plains ranching economy. This 1961 field-checked survey highlights the sophisticated irrigation and storage systems required for survival, including the Jack Creek Reservoir and the Buck Draw Reservoir. These artificial water bodies are supported by significant engineering works like the Jack Creek Ditch and the Seaverson Ditch, designed to move water across the arid terrain. Ranching life is anchored by established homesteads such as the Lazy Cj Jack Creek Ranch and Boden Ranch. The landscape is etched with complex drainage systems, from the branching First Cottonwood Draw to the seasonal flow of Beaver Creek and Little Jack Creek, providing a detailed look at how high-desert water rights shaped the physical and social geography of the region.