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1987 Map of Sunshine Reservoir

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Sunshine Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The Sunshine Reservoir dominates this high-plains landscape, serving as a critical water management hub for the arid ranching and energy country of northwest Wyoming. Situated along the Greybull River and near the eastern edge of the Shoshone National Forest, the map illustrates a complex network of irrigation infrastructure essential for regional agriculture. Engineered waterways like the Sunshine Supply Ditch, Pappapau Ditch, and Nelson Ditch trace the contours of the Upper Sunshine Basin, reflecting the decades-long effort to divert alpine runoff to the fertile valley floors.

Industrial activity is evident at the Pitchfork Oil Field near Schaub Butte, where the geography transitions from river bottom to the high ridges of Sheep Point. Notable landmarks such as Pappapau Butte and the Spillway provide orientation in a terrain defined by seasonal drainages like Sheep Creek and the Wood River. This study documents the intersection of natural topography and hydraulic engineering during the late twentieth century.