Loading map...

2011 Map of Little Tanks

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Little Tanks
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

The arid landscape of Little Tanks in Mohave County is defined by an intricate network of livestock water infrastructure and seasonal catchments essential for ranching in this high-desert environment. Named features such as the Bishop and Barr Reservoir, Alva Shelly Reservoir, and Walter Shelley Reservoir indicate a history of land use tied to specific families and local partnerships. These dispersed water sources, including unique geological features like Sinkhole Reservoir and Pothole Reservoir, are connected by a web of primitive roads and county routes like Co HWY-5.

The distribution of small-scale water improvements, from the northern Nina Pond to the southern Limestone Reservoir, reveals the importance of topographical drainage management. Local ranching history is etched into the map through labels like Atkin Tank, Cox Tank, and Upper Little Joe Pond. These sites serve as critical landmarks for researchers tracing the development of grazing lands and water rights in northwestern Arizona.