1964 Map of Dawson Draw

About this map

Disappointment Valley dominates this landscape on the boundary of San Miguel and Dolores counties, where the high desert meets the wooded fringes of the Uncompahgre National Forest and San Juan National Forest. Water management is central to the area's utility, evidenced by irrigation infrastructure like the Horseshoe Ditch and Guster Ditch that cut across the arid terrain. The map records localized landmarks such as the Daddy Williams Bridge, providing a specific geographic anchor for the region's historical ranching or transport routes. Between the sharp drainages of Dawson Draw and the elevation of Klondike Basin, the map illustrates a transition from alluvial flats to the deeply incised canyons typical of the Colorado Plateau, including Wolf Den Canyon and Box Canyon.