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1968 Map of Wells Dam

Name: 1968 Topographic Map of Wells Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Wells Dam dominates the mid-Columbia landscape on this late-1960s survey, marking a significant era of hydroelectric development and water management at the junction of Douglas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties. The impounded waters of Columbia River Lake Pateros are shown alongside essential infrastructure like the Powerhouse and Fish Hatchery. Beyond the riverbanks, the map documents a transition from industrial utility to a landscape of isolated springs and dry upland draws.

Genealogists and local historians can locate the Dyer (Site) and the small settlements of Azwell and Howard. The topography is defined by high plateaus and depressions such as Cold Springs Basin and Sourdough Flats, punctuated by named landmarks like Landingham Hill and Pattie Big Spring. An Indian Allotment sits near the river, preserving a layer of land tenure and tribal history in a region increasingly shaped by modern engineering.