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1962 Map of Palisade

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Palisade
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Palisade serves as the focal point for this early 1960s survey, positioned where the Colorado River exits the steep canyon country to meet the agricultural valley. The landscape is defined by an intricate network of irrigation infrastructure essential to the region's fruit-growing heritage, including the Government High Line Canal, Price Ditch, and Orchard Mesa Canal No 2. This engineering is complemented by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, which parallels the river and supported the local export economy.

Energy extraction marks the northern cliffs, with numerous coal operations such as the Palisade Mines, Farmers Mine, and Midwest Mine positioned along the canyon walls. To the south and east, the terrain rises sharply toward Grand Mesa and the Grand Mesa National Forest, featuring landmarks like Palisade Point and the geological formation known as The Blowout. This map captures a period of established industrial mining and sophisticated water management before modern suburban expansion changed the character of the valley floor.