1996 Map of Bowknot Bend

About this map

Green River carves a massive, looping meander through the high desert of Emery County in this 1996 provisional survey, defining the iconic horseshoe shape of Bowknot Bend. The landscape is dominated by the steep walls of Labyrinth Canyon, where the river has deposited silt to create several named river flats or "bottoms." These riparian benches, including Horsethief Bottom, Woodruff Bottom, and Tidwell Bottom, provide the only level ground amidst the vertical relief of The Spur and Horsethief Point. Beyond the river's edge, the map documents a network of primitive 4WD tracks that navigate the plateaus, connecting isolated water sources like Keg Spring and crossing intermittent drainages such as Twomile Canyon. The absence of permanent settlements highlights the area's isolation, where topographic features like a Natural Arch or a remote Prospect serve as primary landmarks for travelers and mineral seekers.