1965 Map of Van Dusen Spring

About this map

Van Dusen Spring serves as a primary water source in this arid Garfield County landscape, where the terrain is defined by a complex network of intermittent drainages. The area is heavily marked by coulees and draws, including the prominent Lynch Coulee and Smiley Coulee, which channel seasonal runoff toward Sand Creek. This 1965 field-checked survey reveals a sparsely populated territory where human activity is largely tied to livestock and resource exploration. Scattered water infrastructure like Wells and an isolated Drill Hole near Klein Coulee point to the ongoing efforts to support ranching operations in this high-plains environment. The map captures the specialized topography of the region, from the seasonal flow of Alkali Draw to the winding course of Wickstrom Coulee, providing a clear look at the land's drainage patterns before modern changes.