Loading map...

2011 Map of Rifle Falls

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Rifle Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

East Rifle Creek carves a central path through this Garfield County landscape, feeding the well-known Rifle Falls and the adjacent Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery. The map reveals a high concentration of mining history nestled within the canyon walls and plateaus, including the Lily Mine, Sunshine Mine, and Grandview Mine grouped together north of the falls. Further south, the Garfield Mine and Rifle Mine sit above the valley floor, indicating the area's long-standing connection to mineral extraction.

Water management infrastructure is prominently displayed, from the Grass Valley Canal following the contours of the creek to the Park Reservoir and Rifle Gap Reservoir. High-elevation plateaus like Coulter Mesa dominate the western portion, while agricultural activity is suggested by features such as Spring Cow Camp in the northeast. The complex network of Forest Service and county roads, such as Buford Rd and New Castle Buford Rd, provides a clear view of the access routes used for ranching, mining, and recreation in the early 21st century.