1954 Map of Westwater 4 SW

About this map

The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks cut a decisive path through the high desert of Grand County in the mid-1950s, linking the small settlement of Agate to the wider region. This preliminary survey emphasizes the stark drainage patterns of the Colorado Plateau, where the Colorado River carves through the deep recesses of Westwater Canyon. The landscape is dominated by a network of seasonal watercourses, including Westwater Wash and Cottonwood Wash, which converge toward the river's edge. Notable topographic features like the Little Hole basin provide a detailed look at the erosional forces that have shaped this area. The map illustrates a moment in time when transportation infrastructure was tightly bound to these natural corridors, with the rail line following the contours of Agate Wash and the surrounding plateau.