1954 Map of Whistler Canal

About this map

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge dominates this landscape along the northeastern reaches of the Great Salt Lake, showing a complex network of wetlands and managed waterways as they appeared in the mid-1950s. The Bear River winds through the center of the sheet, feeding into an intricate system of bays and lakes including Homestead Bay, Klondike Lake, and Mueller Lake. This era reflects the vital role of private and public conservation in the region, evidenced by the presence of the Bear River Duck Club and numerous protective levee systems. Human engineering for irrigation and water management is clearly visible through the Whistler Canal and the lateral systems of the East Lateral and West Lateral. To the south, the transition into the vast Mud Flat and the northern edge of Willard Bay illustrates the seasonal and hydrological fluctuations of this unique terminal basin environment.