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1988 Map of Jessies Twist

Name: 1988 Topographic Map of Jessies Twist
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Gunnison Valley and the surrounding high desert terrain dominate this late 1980s landscape, where complex water management and industrial exploration define the land use. The map records a concentration of mining activity near Buckmaster and Buckmaster Draw, characterized by numerous Mine Shafts, Adits, and Prospect points. These features, alongside Borrow Pits and various Dumps, indicate a period of intense geological sampling and resource extraction in the San Rafael desert region.

Water infrastructure is critical in this arid environment, evidenced by the presence of Buckmaster Reservoir, Trail Reservoir, and Ninemile Reservoir. These catchments, along with drainage features like Cottonwood Wash and Fluvemile Wash, channel seasonal runoff toward the San Rafael River at the southern edge of the quadrangle. The naming of Jessies Twist and Shadscale Mesa reflects the local vernacular for the winding canyons and saltbush-covered plateaus that define this portion of Emery County.