2010 Map of Upper Powder Spring

About this map

Upper Powder Spring and Lower Powder Spring anchor this arid landscape along the border of Wyoming and Colorado, where water management is the primary driver of development. The high desert terrain is defined by the prominent Skull Rim and Powder Rim, which create natural boundaries across the quadrangle. A sophisticated network of livestock infrastructure is evident through the naming of numerous reservoirs, including the aptly named Miserable Reservoir, Pronghorn Reservoir, and Hawk Nest Reservoir. These small catchments, linked by the Shell Creek Stock Trl, tell the story of a ranching economy adapted to the scarce moisture of the basins. Modern transit is limited to unpaved routes like County Rd 67, highlighting the region's continued status as a working landscape dedicated to range management and resource extraction.