1963 Map of Ruby Dam

About this map

Ruby Dam anchors this Madison County landscape, impounding the waters of the Ruby River to create the Ruby River Reservoir. The area's mid-century character is defined by a blend of water management and high-country ranching, most notably seen at Wonderly Ranch along the western edge. Evidence of historical mining activity persists in the form of Dredge Tailings along the riverbanks, marking the environmental legacy of earlier extraction efforts. Much of the eastern terrain climbs into the Beaverhead National Forest, where a network of drainages like Barton Gulch, Davey Creek, and Jack Creek carve through the high elevations. This survey was conducted as part of the Department of the Interior's broader program for the development of the Missouri River Basin, documenting the essential water resources and infrastructure of the Ruby Valley during the early 1960s.