1987 Map of Nasja Mesa

About this map

The confluence of the Colorado River and the San Juan River defines this landscape, where rising waters have transformed deep desert canyons into the branches of Lake Powell. Published in the late 1980s, this map captures the complex shoreline of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as it reaches into the Navajo Indian Reservation to the southeast. The geography is a labyrinth of steep-walled drainages, including the winding Reflection Canyon and Hidden Passage Canyon, which once led directly to the riverbed. High plateaus like Nasja Mesa and Wilson Mesa stand above the drowned canyons, while named landmarks such as Fiftymile Point and Twilight Canyon provide critical reference points for navigating this inundated wilderness. The map serves as a detailed record of the intersection between massive geological features and the man-made reservoir at its modern extent.