1985 Map of Ogallala

About this map

The vast waters of Lake McConaughy and its adjacent Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area dominate this mid-1980s landscape, serving as a massive hydraulic hub for the region. The map reveals an intricate network of irrigation and power canals, including the Sutherland Canal and the Keith Lincoln Canal, which divert water from the North Platte River to support agriculture across the High Plains. Parallel to the South Platte River, the Union Pacific railroad and Interstate 80 corridor form the backbone of the local economy, connecting grain-handling settlements like Ogallala, Paxton, and Sutherland. Beyond the river valleys, the terrain shifts into the distinctive north-south drainage patterns of the Sandhills, marked by labels such as Spotted Horse Valley and Wildhorse Valley. This survey captures the intensive water management systems required to sustain the towns and farms between the two river forks.