Loading map...

2014 Map of Dugout Valley

Name: 2014 Topographic Map of Dugout Valley
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2014
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2014

About this map

Big Wills Valley serves as a primary corridor for the communities of Fort Payne, Hammondville, and Valley Head in this 2014 survey. The landscape is defined by the sharp contrasts between the broad valley floor and the elevated plateaus of Sand Mountain and Little Ridge. Evidence of early settlement patterns remains visible in the distribution of family and community burial grounds, such as Cordell Cem and Davenport Cem, which are scattered among the ridges.

Strategic passage through the terrain is marked by numerous gaps, including Bethel Gap and Snake Gap, which historically facilitated movement between the valley and the mountain. The southern portion of the map includes the northern reach of the Little River Canyon National Preserve, where the terrain begins its dramatic descent. Water features like Chambers Lake and Fort Payne City Lake highlight the local water management, while the Railroad following the valley floor underscores the enduring importance of this natural transportation route.