Watershed Map of the Streams in the Vicinity of Salt Lake City [with] Memorial Concerning Water Supply of Salt Lake City

Obtaining water for the expanding Salt Lake City.

“Your memorialists, the mayor and city council of Salt Lake City, Utah, would respectfully represent that Salt Lake City is now a city of about 70,000 inhabitants and rapidly growing; that in order to be certain of a pure and adequate supply of water for the use of its inhabitants it is imperative that the city own or control the watershed from which the water for the city is obtained.” [Text, accompanying report]

This interesting and uncommon map shows the various streams and waterways around Salt Lake City, Utah in 1899. Parcels of land are colored according to the owner, with federal territory outlined in red and city property highlighted in blue. The image was created by Frank C. Kelsey, Salt Lake City Engineer, to accompany an appeal to Congress for the cession of the government land in order to secure appropriate water supplies for the growing town.

A detailed description of the ‘practically worthless lands’ is included with the request. Published in Washington, D.C. by the Government Printing Office in 1900.