1954 Map of Clay Hills 2 SE

About this map

The San Juan River snakes through the center of this 1954 survey, defining a dramatic canyon landscape in San Juan County. Much of the southern half of the map lies within the Navajo Indian Reservation, where the terrain transitions from high plateaus to deep, winding drainages. The mapping, based on 1952 aerial photography, documents a nearly uninhabited territory characterized by complex hydrology and extreme vertical relief. Minor water features such as Nancys Pool and a remote Reservoir indicate the critical importance of water management in this arid environment. The presence of Whirlwind Draw illustrates the intricate system of canyons and seasonal washes that feed into the main river channel, revealing a landscape shaped by erosion and geological isolation before modern infrastructure altered the region.