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1963 Map of Ross Dam

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Ross Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Ross Dam serves as the central focal point of this mid-century survey, anchoring the hydro-electric landscape of the Mt Baker National Forest. The map documents the intricate shoreline of Ross Lake and Diablo Lake, highlighting the engineering of the era through specific spillway elevations and the massive Powerhouse infrastructure. The human footprint in this wilderness is defined by seasonal and utility-based settlements, from the recreational Diablo Lake Resort to the remote Ross Lake Guard Station and Green Point Camp.

Glacial activity and high-elevation terrain dominate the southern and western portions of the sheet, featuring the expansive Neve Glacier below Colonial Peak. The mapping of the Skagit River drainage system includes numerous named tributaries like Ruby Creek and Panther Creek, alongside essential backcountry markers such as the Sourdough Lookout Trail and Fourth of July Pass. These details provide a look at the infrastructure required to maintain and monitor the forest and reservoir system in the early 1960s.