1960 Map of Measel Spring Reservoir

About this map

Shirley Basin and the southern reaches of Bates Hole dominate this mid-century topographic record of Carbon County. The landscape is characterized by its high-altitude water management, featuring several isolated storage points such as Sullivan Reservoir, Section 20 Reservoir, and Junction Res. These man-made features, combined with the presence of Measel Spring Reservoir in the north, suggest a terrain focused on seasonal water capture for livestock or industrial use in a characteristically arid environment. The topography reveals the sharp transition from the flat basin floor to the elevated contours of Shirley Ridge. Drainage patterns are clearly marked by the winding course of Sand Creek, providing a detailed look at the hydrology of the Wyoming interior before significant modern development altered these cattle-range lands.