2022 Map of Dawson Draw

About this map

The Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest converge in this high-desert landscape, where the administrative boundary between San Miguel and Dolores counties meets at the transition of various canyons and basins. The terrain is characterized by the broad Disappointment Valley, through which the seasonal Disappointment Cr flows. This area illustrates the complex water management required in the arid West, featuring man-made diversions like the Horseshoe Ditch and Custer Ditch to manage limited resources. Land use is largely defined by these federal holdings and the topographic features that dictated early transit, such as Box Canyon and the prominent Dawson Draw. Numerous named drainage features, including Pine Arroyo and Andy Draw, point to the region's reliance on intermittent water sources for ranching and local utility.