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1963 Map of Laurin Canyon

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Laurin Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Ruby Valley and the steep eastern slopes of the Ruby Range dominate this 1963 survey of Madison County. The landscape is defined by its complex irrigation and water management systems, including the Ayotte Ditch, Bench Canal, and West Passamari Canal which cut across the West Bench. These features reflect a high-altitude agricultural economy reliant on the waters of the Ruby River.

A network of drainage canyons, such as Robinson Canyon, Laurin Canyon, and Taylor Canyon, incise the mountainside, providing natural corridors for the Pack Trail and various Jeep Trails that navigate the elevation. The Northern Pacific railroad line skims the northeastern corner of the map, following the river's path. Named features like Warchoop Springs and South Fork Hinch Creek indicate the vital importance of small water sources in this arid Montana environment.