1953 Map of Emery 1 NE

About this map

The Molen Reef and the elevated expanse of Lookout Bench define this 1951 topographic study of the Utah interior. This preliminary edition, mapped by the Geological Survey using aerial photography, documents a landscape shaped by intermittent water systems rather than permanent settlements. The drainage patterns of Dry Wash, Molen Wash, and Sand Wash carve intricate paths through the desert floor, reflecting the erosive forces characteristic of the San Rafael Swell region. The presence of a small Reservoir near the northern edge suggests early efforts to manage water in an arid environment, likely for livestock or local agricultural experimentation. To the southeast, the bifurcated flow of North Salt Wash and South Salt Wash provides a detailed view of the natural water distribution before more modern infrastructure altered these historical courses.