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2021 Map of Picacho Reservoir

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Picacho Reservoir
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

The Picacho Mountains rise sharply in the southeast, anchoring a landscape defined by the intersection of desert washes and modern water management. This 2021 map documents a transition from the rugged topography of the mountains down to the irrigated flats of the Santa Cruz Valley. The presence of the Central Arizona Project Aqueduct and the Central Main Canal illustrates the intensive infrastructure required for the agricultural and municipal development of this arid region.

Settlement patterns are concentrated near the borders of Coolidge and Eloy, where a grid of local roads like Cornman Rd and E Houser Rd serves the rural landscape. Natural drainage features such as Brady Wash and McClellan Wash provide a stark contrast to the engineered channels that dominate the hydrology. The map offers a clear view of how large-scale irrigation projects have reshaped the desert floor between the peaks and the towns.