1970 Map of Lower Monumental Dam

About this map

Lower Monumental Dam stands as the central engineering feat along the Snake River in this 1970 study, which captures the industrial and agricultural landscape of the Franklin and Walla Walla county border. The completion of the dam created Lake Sacajawea, a significant body of water that reshaped the local geography. Small railroad-oriented settlements like Farrington and Windust are documented along the northern bank, while the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific lines trace the river's path, emphasizing the area's role as a vital transportation corridor. The map details a landscape carved by numerous coulees, including Devils Canyon and Bouvey Canyon, which cut through the high plateau. Infrastructure such as the Lower Monumental Airport, a Substation, and a Grain Elevator illustrate the intersection of modern energy production and traditional dryland farming at the dawn of the 1970s.