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2016 Map of Mud Creek

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Mud Creek
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Yucca House National Monument anchors the southern portion of this landscape, preserving significant ancestral Puebloan sites in the high desert of Montezuma County. The area is defined by a complex drainage system where the McElmo Creek and Mud Creek intersect, carving out McElmo Canyon and Morrison Canyon. These natural features dictated the early settlement and ranching patterns of the region, as evidenced by the numerous irrigation projects including Duncan Ditch, Highline Ditch, and Rocky Ford Ditch that lace through the valley south of the Aztec Divide.

Tracing these water routes reveals the transition from early canyon-dwelling cultures to modern agricultural use. Near the center of the sheet, the Majors Cem sits near the junction of Alkali Canyon, while the eastern edge is marked by the development of the Cortez Municipal Airport. The map also captures several named landmarks such as Gifford Knoll and Jessup Canyon, providing a detailed view of the rugged topography that shapes this portion of the Four Corners region.