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1955 Map of Olathe NW

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Olathe NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

Irrigation infrastructure and aviation dominate the high desert landscape of Delta and Montrose Counties in the mid-1950s. The western edge of the map is defined by the Uncompahgre River and the tracks of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, which parallel the river's course. This area serves as a transport corridor for the region's agricultural output, supported by an extensive network of water management features.

The central plateau, or Mesa, is crisscrossed by numerous labeled canals and ditches, including the East Canal and Selig Canal, which feed into the rugged Peach Valley to the east. Local water storage is evident through structures like the Lower Peach Valley Dam and Middle Peach Valley Dam. For aviation historians, the Star Nelson Airport and the nearby VABM Airport 5270 survey marker provide specific points of interest on the high ground overlooking the valley.