1978 Map of Fresno Wash

About this map

Fresno Wash and the wider Altar Wash valley dominate this Pima County landscape, where an intricate network of seasonal drainages defines the settlement patterns of the late 1970s. The map illustrates a ranching economy dependent on dispersed water sources, visible through numerous named catchments like Pozo Hondo Tank, Espinosa Tank, and Pajonal Tank. Human activity is concentrated around established outposts such as Espinosa Ranch and Pozo Nuevo Ranch, while the presence of San Rafael Wells and a Gaging Station on Altar Wash points to the critical management of water in this arid environment. Transportation is primarily limited to unimproved roads and a remote Landing Strip, underscoring the area's isolation. Geographic landmarks like the volcanic-named Cerro Prieto rise above the alluvial plains, providing distinct points of navigation between Chiltepines Wash and Brown Wash.