1952 Map of Moab 3 SW

About this map

The Green River carves a deep, winding path through the desert plateau of eastern Utah, creating a series of isolated river flats and towering mesas. This 1952 topographic study highlights the dramatic elevation changes between the river basin and the high overlooks of Deadman Point and Horsethief Point. Along the riverbanks, distinct floodplain areas like Cottonwood Bottom, Mineral Bottom, and Woodruff Bottom represent the few accessible reaches in an otherwise vertical landscape. The map also documents vital water sources in this arid environment, including Horsethief Spring and several reservoirs. The deeply incised Mineral Canyon and Spring Canyon dominate the western half of the sheet, while the North Fork and South Fork drainage systems illustrate the complex erosional patterns typical of the region. The map captures the boundary between Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties during a period when the area remained largely inaccessible except by primitive roads.