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1989 Map of Boundary Butte

Name: 1989 Topographic Map of Boundary Butte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

The high desert landscape of the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County is defined by its arid geography and subterranean resources. Centered on the prominent landmark of Boundary Butte, the terrain transitions from the high elevations of Boundary Butte Mesa down toward the sweeping expanse of the Nokaito Bench. Water is the critical scarcity here, marked by scattered essential sources such as Sand Spring, Little Water, and Salt Spring.

Ephemeral drainage is provided by Gothic Creek, which winds through the northeastern quadrant. Beyond the natural landforms, the map records the industrial footprint of the era, noting numerous Drill Holes, Oil Wells, and Tanks. These features, alongside several labeled Flowing Wells, reflect a mid-to-late 20th-century landscape where geological exploration and water management were central to the utility of this remote corner of Utah.