1969 Map of Opal

About this map

The settlement of Opal sits at a critical junction of infrastructure in the Wyoming high desert, positioned where the Union Pacific railroad tracks and multiple pipelines converge near the winding Hams Fork. This 1969 survey reveals an area defined by water management and transit, where irrigation features like the Anderson Ditch, Roberson Ditch, and South Side Ditch divert water to support the arid landscape. The map captures the industrial imprint on the land, including a Pumping Station and a Radio Tower, alongside the natural features of the Opal Bench. To the north, the terrain transitions into the grazing lands of Craven Creek Meadows, while the Opal Cutoff road traces a path across the high plains. This record is particularly valuable for documenting the mid-century utility footprint and the essential hydraulic engineering that sustained this corner of Lincoln County.