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1953 Map of Julesburg Reservoir

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Julesburg Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Julesburg Reservoir dominates this high plains landscape on the border of Logan and Sedgwick counties, serving as a critical hub for water management in the early 1950s. The intricate network of irrigation systems, including the Sterling Outlet Canal, Highline Canal, and Harmony Ditch, illustrates the complex engineering required to sustain agriculture in this arid region. Near the southern edge, the South Platte River flows past Long Island, flanked by the Union Pacific railroad corridor.

Small settlements and rural infrastructure provide a record of local life, from the Lakeside School perched near the reservoir's western bank to the station at Red Lion and the stop at Marcott. The terrain is marked by family-scale landmarks and vital water sources like Potick Spring and Cottonwood Ranch. Numerous windmills scattered across the flats emphasize the ongoing reliance on groundwater for the ranching operations that defined this corner of Colorado.