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2020 Map of Clay Hills

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Clay Hills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Clay Hills Pass serves as a critical geographic notch through the rising terrain of the Clay Hills in this high-desert portion of San Juan County. The landscape is defined by a network of drainage systems and canyons that carve through the Red Rock Plateau, including the deeply etched Muleshoe Canyon to the north and the East Fork Mikes Canyon to the south.

Evidence of scarce water resources is noted by the presence of Irish Green Spring and Green Water Spring, which likely served as vital points for livestock and early travelers. The remote nature of the region is emphasized by the limited road network, consisting largely of routes like Whirlwind Crossing Rd, which navigates the Whirlwind Draw. This survey provides a look at the intricate topography of the Castle Wash and Steer Pasture Canyon, documenting the drainage patterns of Castle Cr before they reach more distant basins.