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2010 Map of Lake John

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Lake John
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Lake John and the surrounding high-altitude basins are defined by a complex network of irrigation infrastructure and water management. Located at the base of Sheep Mountain, this landscape reflects a long history of ranching and early 21st-century water rights, evidenced by the numerous engineered waterways like the Bighorn Cattle Company Ditch and the Hanson and Wattenberg Ditch. The presence of the Wattenberg Ranch and the Fred Brands Ranch Mine suggests a localized economy built on land stewardship and resource extraction.

Water moves from the North Fork North Platte River through a series of namesake ditches such as the Legal Tender Ditch and Ulrich Ditch. The geography is further marked by seasonal and permanent basins, including Alkali Lake and Brands Reservoir. These features, along with the distinct drainage of California Gulch and Dead Horse Draw, illustrate the challenges of managing arid terrain for agricultural and industrial use in Jackson County.