1987 Map of Cave Flat

About this map

Tarantula Mesa and the expansive reach of Cave Flat dominate this 1980s landscape in Garfield County, Utah. The terrain is defined by a complex network of canyons and high plateaus, where water sources like Swap Canyon Springs and the Cave Flat Reservoir are essential markers in the arid environment. A transition in elevation is noted at Sandy Creek Divide, which separates the drainages of Sandy Creek from the southern reaches of the quadrangle. The map captures a moment of remote land use characterized by seasonal water management and the natural boundaries of Swap Mesa and Muley Creek. These features illustrate the geological isolation of the region before more modern infrastructure reached this part of the Colorado Plateau, preserving the ranching and surveying history of the canyonlands.