1971 Map of Sundale

About this map

Lake Umatilla dominates this stretch of the Columbia River along the Washington and Oregon border, following the mid-century transformation of the river into a series of slack-water pools. On the Washington side, the small settlement of Sundale sits near the tracks of the Burlington Northern railroad, accompanied by a local Cem and a public Boat Ramp reflecting the area's recreational and transit roles. Across the water in Oregon, the Union Pacific line hugs the shore beneath the steep rising walls of Blalock Canyon and Lang Canyon. The map illustrates a landscape defined by sharp elevation changes and deep drainages, such as Jones Canyon and Old Lady Canyon, which cut through the high plateaus north and south of the river. This 1971 record captures the industrial and logistical framework of the gorge, from the massive Substation near the canyon floor to the widespread presence of borrow pits used for infrastructure maintenance.