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1968 Map of Ruby Canyon

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Ruby Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

The Colorado River carves a deep path through this 1968 landscape, defining the geographic character of Ruby Canyon and Horsethief Canyon. The winding waterway is flanked by notable alluvial flats including Ruby Bottom, Crow Bottom, and Moore Bottom, while the distinctive Black Rocks formations mark the river's edge. This desert terrain is further shaped by the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad, which follows the river's contours through the canyon.

Evidence of historical transportation is visible in the Old Railroad Grade north of the modern tracks and the north-south route of Eight Road. The importance of water management in this arid region is highlighted by the presence of the 6 and 50 Reservoir and several drainages such as Salt Creek and Mee Canyon. This survey captures the intersection of heavy rail infrastructure and the raw erosional features of the high desert plateau near the Colorado-Utah state line.