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2011 Map of Mescal Warm Spring

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

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Mescal Warm Spring and the surrounding high desert of Pinal County are defined by a complex network of ephemeral water sources and remote cattle ranching infrastructure. The Mescal Mountains dominate the central terrain, where drainage systems like Mescal Creek and Tulapai Creek carve through the arid landscape toward the Gila River in the south. This 2011 survey illustrates the precarious nature of water in the region, noting several vital named springs such as Red Whiskers Spring, Big Rock Spring, and Wild Horse Spring.

Human activity is concentrated at the Van Winkle Ranch and supported by numerous water management features, including Wob Tank, Mescal Tank, and several specialized detention basins like Bar F Bar Detention and Rock Gate Detention. These features, connected by primitive routes like Road 740, reveal the specialized engineering required for livestock survival in the Arizona backcountry during the early 21st century.