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2016 Map of Rifle

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Rifle
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The town of Rifle is the central hub of this landscape, situated at the confluence of Government Creek and Rifle Creek before they join the Colorado River. The topography is defined by massive formations like the Grand Hogback to the northeast and a series of prominent plateaus including Hubbard Mesa, Graham Mesa, and Taughenbaugh Mesa. These flat-topped features are divided by deep drainages such as Thirty Two Mile Gulch and Estes Gulch, illustrating the complex geological erosion of the region.

Water management is a defining characteristic of the settlement pattern, with an intricate network of irrigation systems including the Grand Tunnel Ditch, Pioneer Ditch, and Last Chance Ditch feeding the valley floor. Local history is anchored by sites like Rose Hill Cemetery and the Colorado State University Extension, while the northern reaches show names like Roan Cliff Chaos and Lower Faceplant, reflecting modern recreational use of the surrounding public lands.