1971 Map of Dry Lake NW

About this map

Dry Lake and a vast basin known as the Depression dominate the southern portion of this Navajo County landscape, where the water management systems of the high desert are clearly visible. The terrain is defined by a network of seasonal water catchments including Chamise Tank, Bell Cow Tank, and Red Tank, which supported cattle and regional ranching operations in the early 1970s. Rising abruptly from the basin floor, the Pink Cliffs create a sharp geographic boundary above the depression. To the north, the land is dissected by numerous drainages such as Bell Cow Canyon, Willow Patch Draw, and Pour Off Canyon. Evidence of mid-century industrial activity is present through the Big Oil Well Tank and Small Oil Well Tank, while scattered Jeep Trail paths provide the primary access through this arid environment. For researchers, these named tanks and wells like Eskimo Well offer specific markers of land use and water rights in this part of Arizona.