2017 Map of Desert Springs

About this map

The Continental Divide bisects this high-desert landscape in Sweetwater County, marking the hydrologic spine of the American West. The area is characterized by drainage systems like Smiley Draw and Patrick Draw, which define the topography in this corner of the Red Desert. Human activity is largely represented by a network of rural roads and transportation corridors, including Madison Dr and Patrick Draw Rd, that service the region's energy resources and cattle ranching operations. Near the eastern edge, the eponymous Desert Springs provides a rare water source in an otherwise arid environment. This 2017 survey reveals how modern infrastructure, such as Table Rock Rd and Bar X RD, has been etched into the vast public lands managed under the township and range system, including t20n r98w and t19n r97w.