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2017 Map of Cottonwood Canyon

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Cottonwood Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Cottonwood Canyon and the eastern slopes of the Bighorn National Forest dominate this 2017 topographic survey. The landscape is defined by its dramatic relief and critical water sources, including the isolated Harmon Springs and the plunging Melody Falls. These features, along with Five Springs Number 1 Reservoir, indicate the historical importance of water management for livestock and conservation in this part of Big Horn County.

Drainage patterns across the Lowmiller Bench and into Black Gulch reveal the geological forces that have carved this high-desert terrain. To the south, Rainbow Canyon and Triple Draw provide a stark contrast to the more open reaches of Five Springs Cr. This map documents a sparsely populated but geographically complex region where named landmarks like Moncur Springs served as vital waypoints for those navigating the western edge of the Bighorn Mountains.