2015 Map of Washington

About this map

The South Yuba River carves through the high country of the Tahoe National Forest, centering on the old mining settlement of Washington. This 2015 survey illustrates the complex geography of Northern California's gold country, where historical water management systems like the S Yuba Canal and infrastructure such as the Dutch Flat Tunnel persist alongside modern resource management. The landscape is defined by steep ridges including Burlington Ridge, Lowell Hill Ridge, and Chalk Bluff Ridge, which separate the various forks of Deer Cr and Steephollow Cr. Higher elevations near Omega and Washington Ridge overlook the deep canyons of Devils Canyon and Union Canyon. Evidence of the region’s hydraulic mining legacy and power generation is visible in the presence of the Drum Forebay near the Bear River at the southern edge of the quadrangle, while family-named landmarks like Negro Jack Hill and McGuire Mtn provide essential context for local genealogists.