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1983 Map of Sterling

Name: 1983 Topographic Map of Sterling
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Sterling serves as the regional anchor for this 1983 topographic survey, situated where the South Platte River and major rail lines like the Union Pacific converge. The landscape is defined by the transition from the high, flat surface of Peetz Table in the north to the fertile river valley near Atwood and Iliff. A complex network of irrigation and water management is visible through features like the North Sterling Reservoir and numerous draws including Sidney Draw and Spring Draw.

Resource extraction and conservation efforts mark the era, with the Little Hoot Oil Field located in the rolling uplands and several protected areas, such as the Ceres State Wildlife Area and Dundee State Wildlife Area, lining the river banks. Small railroad-aligned settlements like Willard, Stoneham, and Raymer trace the southern rail corridor, providing a detailed look at the rural infrastructure and land use across Logan and Weld counties during the early 1980s.