1991 Map of First Flat Mesa

About this map

The high desert terrain of the Hopi Indian Reservation and Navajo Indian Reservation dominates this landscape, defined by dramatic mesas and intermittent water sources. The map provides a detailed view of First Flat Mesa and Second Flat Mesa, two prominent landforms that have served as cultural and geographical anchors for generations. Between these elevations, the Ha-whi-yalin Wash cuts through the plains, eventually reaching Mud Flat to the east. This 1991 provisional survey documents the vital water points necessary for life in this arid environment, including Cottonwood Spring, Rainbow Spring, and Coyote Spring. To the north, the isolated Stephen Butte rises near the reservation boundary, while the Hopi Buttes provide further geological complexity to the south, illustrating the intricate relationship between tribal boundaries and the natural topography of the Colorado Plateau.