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2023 Map of No-Mans Island

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of No-Mans Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

No-Mans Island is the center of a complex landscape defined by shifting elevations and deep drainages in San Juan County. The terrain transitions between high, broad mesas such as Black Mesa and White Mesa to the intricate network of canyons and washes that carve through the desert floor. Cottonwood Creek and its associated Cottonwood Wash system provide the primary hydrologic structure, while more isolated formations like Tank Mesa and Little Black Mesa rise prominently above the surrounding flats.

A sparse but vital network of unimproved routes, including Black Mesa Rd and S Cottonwood Rd, traces the ancient paths of least resistance through the canyons. Notable high points like Ruin Spring Point and landmarks such as Bluff Bench suggest a geography long utilized for its strategic visibility. The detailed plotting of Black Rock Canyon and Butler Canyon reflects the ongoing importance of this territory for modern land management and hydrological tracking.