Loading map...

1965 Map of Picacho NW

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Picacho NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The Colorado River forms the central spine of this mid-century survey, defining the border between California and Arizona as it flows through the Cibola Valley. This stretch of the river is characterized by a complex network of backwaters and wetlands, protected by the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Numerous water bodies including Three Finger Lake, Cibola Lake, and Walker Lake are visible along the river's path, highlighting the dynamic hydrology of the region before modern diversions fully altered these landscapes.

Evidence of human activity is scattered across the riverbanks, from the seasonal outposts at Walters Camp and Cibola Camp to the working Draper Ranch. To the east, the Trigo Mountains rise sharply, marked by historical industrial remnants like the Clip Mill (Site). The terrain is further defined by extensive drainage systems such as Vinagre Wash and Turnaround Wash, which illustrate the arid environment surrounding the fertile river corridor.