1963 Map of Lombard Buttes

About this map

The Emigrant Trail tracks through this arid landscape along the western bank of the Green River, marking a corridor of historical movement through Sweetwater County. This mid-century survey documents a topography defined by erosion and water management, where the Big Sandy River joins the larger Green River system. The presence of irrigation infrastructure like Hamp Ditch No 2 and a smaller Ditch near Telephone Island indicates the continued effort to reclaim the desert for agriculture and livestock. Settlement is sparse and focused on isolated outposts such as Dunkle Ranch and Johnson Ranch, while the namesake Lombard Buttes and Lombard Road dominate the western portion of the quadrangle. Geologists and local historians can trace the intersection of ancient travel routes with modern land use, from the meandering river islands like Freezeout Island to early energy exploration evidenced by a Drill Hole.