1952 Map of Notom 4 SW

About this map

Dixie National Forest defines the northern reaches of this 1952 topographic study, where the high plateaus of Garfield County give way to a labyrinth of erosional features. The terrain is dominated by the massive formation of the Circle Cliffs, a geologic feature that dictates the drainage patterns for the surrounding desert. Water is the primary architect here, evidenced by the intricate carving of Sheets Gulch and the seasonal flows of Tantalus Creek. This preliminary survey, based on 1951 aerial photography, documents the land before extensive road development reached these portions of southern Utah. The map traces the winding paths of Oak Creek and South Oak Creek as they cut through the elevation of South Bench, illustrating a landscape shaped by intermittent hydrology and the stark transitions between high Yergy Flat and deep canyon washes.