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1952 Map of Mouth of Dark Canyon

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Mouth of Dark Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The confluence of high-desert mesas and deep river incisions is captured here at a pivotal moment for the Colorado River drainage. While the Colorado River still flows through Cataract Canyon, the encroachment of Lake Powell is noted at its projected 3700-foot elevation, indicating the coming transformation of this canyon landscape. This 1952 field survey shows the terrain prior to the full impact of regional dam projects, preserving the original positions of Dark Canyon Rapids and the winding course of the Dark Canyon drainage.

Evidence of human passage and land use appears in the remote reaches of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, from the isolated Prospect to livestock-related landmarks like Lower Horse Flats and Upper Horse Flats. The map details a network of named canyons and points including Fortknocker Canyon, Indian Head Pass, and Freddies Cistern, documenting a period when the Atomic Energy Commission was actively investigating these remote Utah plateaus.