2011 Map of Thornburgh

About this map

The high-country settlement of Thornburgh serves as the focal point for this survey of Rio Blanco County, where the landscape is defined by a network of vital water management features. Ranching and resource extraction are central to the area's development, evidenced by the presence of the Thornburgh Gas Field and the Butterfly Mine. The complex irrigation and water storage systems, including the D D and E Wise Reservoir, Wyman Reservoir, and the Martin Creek Ditch, illustrate the efforts required to sustain operations in this environment. Terrain landmarks such as Thornburgh Mountain and Uranium Peak dominate the horizon, while Milk Creek and Grade Creek carve through the foothills. The proximity of the Number One Mine near Windy Point and the remote high-altitude waters of Aldrich Lakes reflect the area's dual character of industrial utility and natural isolation.