Loading map...

2015 Map of Upper Powder Spring

Name: 2015 Topographic Map of Upper Powder Spring
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2015
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2015

About this map

Skull Creek Rim and Powder Rim define this arid corner of Sweetwater County, where the landscape is marked by a complex network of ephemeral drainages and essential water catchments. In this high desert environment, the reliance on seasonal moisture is evident through the numerous named reservoirs scattered across the quadrangle, such as Pronghorn Reservoir, Miserable Reservoir, and Agropyron Reservoir. These features suggest a history of livestock grazing and land management in the basins surrounding Skull Cr and the North Fork Powder Wash.

Geological and topographical shifts are anchored by permanent water sources like Upper Powder Spring and Lower Powder Spring, which likely served as critical landmarks for travelers and ranchers alike. The presence of several named tanks, including Hawk Nest Reservoir and Washout Reservoir, illustrates the efforts to harness the limited runoff from the surrounding ridges. This survey documents the area's transition into the 21st century, maintaining the traditional nomenclature of its rugged ranching heritage.