1986 Map of Taunton

About this map

Saddle Mountains dominate the southern portion of this landscape, rising sharply above the Wahluke Slope and the highly engineered water systems of the Columbia Basin. The map details the infrastructure of mid-century irrigation and energy, featuring the Wahluke Branch Canal, an aqueduct, and a siphon that facilitate agricultural movement across the arid terrain. Central to the local history is the railroad settlement of Taunton, positioned alongside the Milwaukee Road and its associated Taunton Substation. The northern reaches are characterized by the complex wetland systems of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, where Crab Creek and Royal Lake provide a stark contrast to the nearby Hanford Site (DOE) boundary. This 1980s survey captures a territory split between intensive conservation efforts and significant federal industrial footprints.