1971 Map of Rock Spring Gulch

About this map

The Yampa River corridor and its complex network of drainage gulches define this area of northwestern Colorado. The terrain is a maze of named geographic features, from the northern reaches of Little Cottonwood Creek and Elkhead Creek down to the southern confluence points. The map documents the shared boundary between Moffat County and Routt County, which zig-zags across the landscape following topographic ridges. This 1971 survey captures the area's essential hydrology and early infrastructure, including a Radio Tower and Water Tank, illustrating how water management and communication were established in this stretch of the Colorado high country. Researchers will find numerous named landmarks such as Jimmy Dunn Gulch, Cary Gulch, and Maynard Gulch, providing clear evidence of local place-naming traditions tied to early residents or specific land uses.