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1962 Map of Umatilla

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Umatilla
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1972
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1972

About this map

McNary Dam stands as the central engineering marvel of this landscape, bifurcating the Columbia River and creating the distinct water levels of Lake Wallula and Lake Umatilla. The complex industrial and social infrastructure supporting the dam is evident in features like the Powerhouse, Fish Viewing Station, and the nearby residential settlement of McNary. To the south, the city of Umatilla serves as a hub of transportation and commerce, where the Union Pacific railroad and the Umatilla River meet the larger Columbia.

Water management defines the region beyond the main river channel, with the West Extension Irrigation Canal and Bensel Road Ditch feeding the agricultural lands around Power City and Charlestown. Landmarks such as Sillusi Butte and Umatilla Butte provide natural orientation points amidst a network of Quarries and the sprawling Threemile Falls Diversion Works. The presence of the New City Cem, High Sch, and Rodeo Grounds reflects a community shaped by the mid-century expansion of the Columbia Basin project.