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1982 Map of Cortez

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of Cortez
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1992
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1992

About this map

Mesa Verde National Park anchors the central landscape of this 1982 survey, revealing the complex topography of Chapin Mesa, Moccasin Mesa, and Navajo Canyon. To the west, the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation includes the tribal headquarters at Towaoc, while the Southern Ute Indian Reservation extends to the southeast. The agricultural valley around Cortez and Mancos is defined by vital water sources like the McElmo Creek and the Dolores River in the north.

Transportation corridors like U.S. 160 and U.S. 666 link small communities such as Arriola, Lebanon, and Lewis. Cultural history is evidenced by an Old Railroad Grade and the presence of the Hovenweep National Monument on the western edge. The northeast corner is dominated by the high elevations of the San Juan National Forest and the La Plata Mountains, providing a stark contrast to the mesas and canyons below.