Loading map...

1982 Map of Blanding

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of Blanding
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Abajo Mountains and the extensive Manti-La Sal National Forest dominate this 1982 survey of the high desert and mountain landscape of San Juan County. Settled hubs like Monticello and Blanding are connected by major routes 163, 666, and 95, while the surrounding plains are dotted with smaller communities such as Eastland, Lockerby, and Ucolo. This map documents a critical period of water management in the region, featuring several key water storage sites including Recapture Reservoir, Gordon Reservoir, and the family-named Nancy Patterson Lake.

The terrain is defined by dramatic geological features, from the deep incisions of Dark Canyon and Montezuma Canyon to the broad elevations of Woodenshoe Mesa and Mustang Mesa. Federal land protections are well-established here, with the borders of Canyonlands National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument clearly delineated. These boundaries highlight the transition from protected wilderness to the ranching and municipal lands surrounding the Municipal Airport near Monticello.