1956 Map of Moses Lake NW

About this map

Moses Lake defines the central character of this 1950s landscape, its waters reaching deep into the Columbia Basin before the full impact of mid-century irrigation reached this specific northwest quadrant. The map records a significant moment of transition for Grant County, documented by the USBR during a period of massive infrastructure expansion. A prominent Canal Under Construction cuts through the western sections, part of the broader effort to transform the arid shrub-steppe into productive agricultural land. Below the plateau, the distinct geographies of Hiawatha Valley and Mae Valley frame the lowlands, while Rocky Ford Cr feeds into the northern reaches of the lake. Local landmarks like White Trail Road and various wells illustrate the early stages of settlement and water management in this high-desert environment.