2011 Map of Sawmill Mountain

About this map

Coal Creek Number One Mine sits in the northern reaches of this Colorado landscape, highlighting the industrial history of Rio Blanco County. The terrain is defined by the prominent Sawmill Mountain and the high elevations of Hay Park, where a network of watercourses including Sawmill Creek and Cottonwood Creek drain the slopes. The agricultural infrastructure of the region is evident in the south, anchored by the Big Lick Irrigation Dam and Big Lick Reservoir, which manage water flow through the Big Licks area. A web of county roads, such as County Rd 40 and County Rd 49, connects these remote industrial and ranching sites, following the natural contours provided by Little Beaver Creek and Dickerville Creek. The presence of the Coal Creek Feeder Ditch further illustrates the complex water management systems required to support activity in this high-country environment.