2013 Map of Needle Creek

About this map

Needle Creek and Saddle Creek dominate this Central Texas landscape, where modern water management defines the local geography. The area is marked by a significant network of Soil Conservation Service reservoirs, including Site 14 Reservoir and Site 13 Reservoir, which were engineered to manage runoff and support ranching in the semi-arid McCulloch County environment. The settlement of Lightner sits in the northwestern corner, while the Ford Ranch serves as a major landmark in the central-east. This survey captures the transition from natural drainage to a highly controlled hydrological system, punctuated by traditional watering points like Bee Gum Tank and Willow Tank. A sparse network of county roads, such as Co RD-126 and Co RD-124, connects these remote ranching outposts across the prairie.