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1962 Map of Silt

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Silt
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Colorado River valley south of the Grand Hogback defines this landscape, where the town of Silt serves as a hub for both transportation and agriculture. The arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad parallel to the river established the primary corridor for movement through the region, linking the settlement of Antlers to the broader western network. This 1960s-era topography reveals a complex system of water management essential for high-desert farming, including the Grass Valley Canal and the Farmers Irrigation Ditch which draw from the Grass Valley Reservoir.

Industry and recreation sit side-by-side on this sheet. The Garfield County Airport and various Gravel Pits indicate mid-century regional development, while the Rifle Gap State Recreation Area and Wheeler State Wildlife Area highlight the transition toward conservation and public land use. The varied elevations of Cactus Valley lead up to Weible Peak, showing the dramatic lift from the river bottom to the high plateaus.