1955 Map of The Meadows

About this map

Grand Mesa National Forest dominates this high-altitude landscape, where high plateaus and alpine meadows are defined by an intricate network of livestock water management. The presence of Leon Cow Camp and several named reservoirs, including Mc Kelvie Res, Anderson Res, and Labbe Res, speaks to the importance of the high-country grazing economy during the mid-1950s. The terrain transitions from the open stretches of The Meadows and Sheep Flats to the steep slopes of Campbell Mountain and Boque Mountain. A complex system of irrigation infrastructure is evident through the Big Creek Ditch and numerous clusters of Beaver Ponds along Leon Creek and East Salt Creek, illustrating how seasonal water was captured and diverted from the high Flat Tops to support the surrounding valleys.