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2010 Map of Montezuma Creek

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Montezuma Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

The San Juan River defines the southern boundary of this high-desert landscape in San Juan County, where the settlement of Montezuma Creek serves as a local hub. The presence of the Montezuma Creek Trading Post near the water underscores the area's long-standing role as a center for commerce and community in the Shiprock Agency region. To the north, the terrain rises toward the expansive McCracken Mesa, a flat-topped landform dissected by dramatic erosional features like Black Rock Canyon and Bucket Canyon.

Water is a critical resource in this arid environment, marked by isolated points like Hot Spring, Pussywillow Spring, and Straw Spring. Infrastructure for ranching and transport is visible through the Rattlesnake Ranch Number One Upper Dam and a network of arterial roads including the Old Aneth Cutoff and W Montezuma Rd. From the Montezuma Creek Overlook, the landscape falls away toward the winding river valley, illustrating the rugged geology of the Four Corners region.