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1970 Map of Bitter Creek Well

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Bitter Creek Well
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

The Bitter Creek Well (Flowing) serves as a primary landmark in this 1970 landscape, where the high desert terrain is defined by complex drainage systems and early transportation corridors. This borderland region between Grand County, Utah, and Mesa County, Colorado, is marked by an extensive Old Railroad Grade and an Old Grade that parallel the winding Bitter Creek. These industrial remnants, alongside several noted Drill Holes and Borrow Pits, indicate a history of resource exploration and engineering through the canyons and valleys.

Water and geography dictate the movement through this area, from the wide Ruby Valley to the narrow corridors of Knowles Canyon and San Arroyo Wash. Geological features like the Castle Rocks rise above the confluence of seasonal washes, while human presence is noted at the May Flat settlement area and isolated Corral locations. The southern portion of the map transitions into the Rio Grande Western and Colorado River Canyon, illustrating the deep-cut topography that historically challenged rail and road development.