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1964 Map of Oak Hill

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Oak Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

Uncompahgre National Forest dominates this mid-1960s landscape, where the deeply carved drainages of Naturita Creek and Burn Canyon define the high plateau terrain. The map captures a complex network of water management features essential to the region's agricultural and ranching history, including the Lilylands Canal, South Lateral Ditch, and Cone Ditch. These systems directed water from sources like the Gurley Reservoir and Cone Reservoir across the broad mesas of Greager Flats and Goshorn Flats.

Evidence of early high-country habitation is visible at Williams Cabin, while numerous remote water sources like Sawmill Spring, Herndon Spring, and Mexican Spring suggest a landscape used heavily for livestock. The presence of the Old City Reservoir and various ponds like Portis Pond and Bull Pond further illustrates the historical efforts to capture runoff in this arid corner of San Miguel County. In the northeast, the prominent rise of Oak Hill stands above the irrigated lands near the Tracy and Hill Lateral.