2023 Map of Great Bend

About this map

The Chaco River snakes through this high desert region of San Juan County, carving a distinctive path known as the Great Bend. This landscape is defined by its drainage systems, where ephemeral waterways like Sheep Springs Wash, Coyote Wash, and Salt Springs Wash converge toward the main river channel. The topography is marked by significant elevations such as Day Mesa, which overlooks the surrounding basins. Human infrastructure in this contemporary era is sparse, represented primarily by the winding corridor of Indian Svc Rte 5007, which provides the primary access through the townships of the Navajo Nation. This map captures the intricate relationship between the arid terrain and the vital watercourses that have shaped the geological and cultural history of the San Juan Basin.