1964 Map of Needle Reservoir

About this map

Antelope Knoll dominates the northern high ground of this Sweetwater County landscape, which was mapped in the early 1960s to document the arid drainage systems and water management of the high plains. The topography is defined by intricate erosional features and seasonal watercourses such as Tin Can Draw, Cattail Draw, and Big Dry Creek. Settlement is nearly nonexistent, represented only by the isolated Staley Corral in the southern reaches. The reliance on managed water in this environment is evident through the series of small impoundments scattered across the terrain, including Needle Reservoir, Big Hollow Reservoir, and Badlands Reservoir. A network of simple jeep trails provides the only transit through this section of the Wyoming desert, connecting these remote watering points and livestock sites.