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2022 Map of Big Valley South

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Big Valley South
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

The Colorado River carves a winding path through the borderlands of San Saba and Mills Counties, defining the northern landscape of this central Texas quadrangle. The settlement of Big Valley serves as a local focal point near the river's edge, surrounded by family burial grounds like Lower Valley Cem and McMillin Cem. This era of the landscape is defined by modern water management and ranching infrastructure, evidenced by the Lower San Saba Watershed Reservoir Number 10 and Lower San Saba River WS SCS-Site-Twelve Reservoir.

Elevated terrain dominates the western and southern reaches, featuring named landmarks such as Wildhorse Mtn, Burger Hill, and the Mauldin Hills. These limestone-rich uplands are dissected by a complex network of seasonal drainages, including the various prongs of Horse Cr and the northern flow of Rocky Cr. The map details a transition from river-bottom land to the high ridges of Red Roy Ridge, revealing how the topography dictated the placement of local thoroughfares like FM 500 and Shaw Bend RD.