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2011 Map of Palo Alto Ranch

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Palo Alto Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Anvil Ranch and Palo Alto Ranch anchor this arid Pima County landscape, representing the enduring cattle ranching tradition of Southern Arizona. The terrain is defined by an intricate network of desert drainages, most notably the broad Altar Wash that runs north-to-south along the eastern edge of the quadrangle. A series of smaller waterways, including Mendoza Wash and Alambre Wash, flow out from the western highlands near Mendoza Canyon, illustrating the complex alluvial patterns of the Altar Valley.

Survival in this environment is evidenced by the numerous water management features distributed across the range. Named catchments such as Ironwood Tank, Saint George Tank, and Rucker Tank provide essential resources for livestock. Infrastructure is minimal, centered primarily on Route 286 and the West Side Windmill, which serve as critical navigation and utility points for those working the land.