1955 Map of Mal Pais Springs 3 SW

About this map

Cottonwood Wash and its tributaries carve a complex drainage system through this high desert plateau in Navajo County, captured here during a 1955 survey. The landscape is defined by its arid cattle-ranching infrastructure, where water management is paramount. Numerous Stock Tanks are scattered across the terrain to collect seasonal runoff, supported by a isolated Windmill marking a vital groundwater source. A broad Mesa dominates the northern reaches, dissected by the winding courses of Feather Wash, Fern Wash, and Humpy Wash. Human activity is minimal and strictly functional, represented by a singular Pipeline and a rugged Jeep Trail that provides the only identifiable access through the shifting topography. This preliminary edition reflects the area's mid-century character, where land use was dictated entirely by the availability of water and the natural contours of the desert floor.