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1984 Map of Merkel West

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Merkel West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Merkel and Trent anchor this West Texas landscape during a period of transition in the late 1970s. The terrain is defined by the sharp transition from the plains into the high relief of Mulberry Canyon, where prominent elevations like Blowout Mountain and Spears Mountain rise above the surrounding drainage basins. The map illustrates a developed network of infrastructure, including a Pumping Station and an extensive Underground Pipeline system that traverses the agricultural and ranching lands between the two primary settlements.

Water management is evident through the winding courses of Mulberry Creek, Little Bitter Creek, and Noodle Creek. Near the town center of Merkel, local recreation and community life are reflected in the presence of a Golf Course, Ball Parks, and an Athletic Field. This survey provides a clear look at the intersection of local geography and the energy infrastructure that shaped Taylor County during this era.