2016 Map of Orchard

About this map

The South Platte River carves a broad valley through this portion of Morgan County, supporting a sophisticated network of 21st-century irrigation infrastructure. The small settlements of Orchard and Goodrich anchor a landscape defined by water management, where the Riverside Intake Canal, Weldon Valley Ditch, and Bijou Canal divert resources across the high plains. Large-scale water storage is prominent at Jackson Lake in the north and the Kiowa Reservoir further south, illustrating the region's total reliance on engineered hydrology. Beyond the river bottom, the terrain is marked by seasonal drainages such as Greasewood Draw and Milliron Draw. Modern recreational use is evidenced by the OHV Track on South Shore near Jackson Lake, while the convergence of Kiowa Creek and Bijou Creek near the river highlights the complex natural drainage patterns that have historically shaped this agricultural corridor.