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1985 Map of Piute Knoll

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Piute Knoll
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Uranium and vanadium mining define the industrial character of this landscape along the border of San Juan County, Utah, and San Miguel County, Colorado. In the mid-1980s, the area was a hub of subsurface activity, centered on operations like the Silver Bell Mine, Deremo Mine No 1, and the Snyder Mine. These sites are clustered around the dramatic drop-offs of Summit Canyon and Wildhorse Canyon, where specialized infrastructure including numerous Air Shafts and a dedicated Substa supported deep extraction efforts.

Beyond the industrial footprint, the high desert environment is marked by essential water sources such as Rustler Spring and Secret Springs. The terrain is deeply incised by drainage systems like Coal Bed Canyon and Pearson Wash, while prominent landforms like Piute Knoll and Bishop Point provide navigational anchors in an otherwise labyrinthine canyon network. The map reveals the logistical requirements of this remote mining district, tracing the Pipeline corridors and access roads that linked these isolated workings to the broader regional economy.