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1966 Map of Rifle Falls

Name: 1966 Topographic Map of Rifle Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

White River National Forest defines the rugged verticality of this Garfield County landscape, where deep canyons and high mesas dictate the patterns of human activity. The central corridor follows East Rifle Creek, home to the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery and the iconic Rifle Falls State Recreation Area. This area serves as a critical water and recreational hub, with the Grass Valley Canal and Rifle Gap Reservoir visible to the south, highlighting the complex water management required for the arid high country.

Industrial traces are scattered across the terrain, from the Rifle Mine and various prospects to the Gravel Pit near the New Castle Buford Road. Seasonal land use is evidenced by the Spring Cow Camp and the Stock Driveway winding through the forest. High-elevation features like Coulter Mesa and Calhoun Basin illustrate the difficult terrain managed by the Forest Service during this mid-century period.