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1965 Map of Steinaker Reservoir

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Steinaker Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1967
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1967

About this map

Ancient Petroglyphs and early frontier history converge in this mid-1960s study of the high desert landscape north of Vernal. The newly created Steinaker Reservoir dominates the lower terrain, managed alongside the developing Steinaker State Park. This era of water management is clearly defined by an intricate network of irrigation infrastructure, including the Steinaker Feeder Canal, Upper Canal, and Highline Canal, which divert the waters of Ashley Creek to the surrounding arid basins.

Evidence of the area's older human geography remains visible through the Old Military Road and scattered agricultural outposts like Spring Creek Corral and Little Valley Corral. The transition from the high ridges of the Ashley National Forest down into Coal Mine Basin reveals a landscape utilized for both recreation at Merkley Park and industry, noted by a remote Strip Mine and several prospects. This map captures the region at a pivotal moment when traditional ranching and early mining were increasingly supplemented by large-scale water reclamation projects.