1950 Map of Ocean Lake

About this map

The Wind River Indian Reservation landscape is defined here by a sophisticated network of mid-century irrigation infrastructure, engineered by the Bureau of Reclamation to transform the arid Wyoming basin. The northern portion of Ocean Lake sits at the heart of this grid, surrounded by complex water management features like the Fivemile Main Lateral, Pavillion Drain, and Le Clair Ditch. These man-made channels diverge from natural watercourses such as Five Mile Creek and the Wind River, illustrating the intensive reclamation efforts occurring as part of the Missouri River Basin development program. Near the small settlement of Midvale, the intersection of Missouri Valley Road and Eightmile Road provides a clear view of the rural transport patterns that emerged alongside these water systems. The presence of a Gaging Sta on the river underscores the systematic monitoring required to maintain this hydraulic environment.