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1973 Map of Red Basin

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Red Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The Owyhee River snakes through the deep canyons of this southwestern Idaho landscape, carving a prominent horseshoe bend around a landform known as The Tongue. Surveyed in the early 1970s, the terrain is defined by its isolation and limited infrastructure, with the waterway serving as the primary geographical anchor. Cultural features are sparse, represented by remote outposts like The Garden and the river access point at Crutcher Crossing.

Upland areas such as Lambert Table and the Y P Desert are marked by livestock-related improvements, including Potter Reservoir, Flat Top Reservoir, and various corrals. The map details a network of rugged access routes, including the Pack Trail and numerous jeep trails that traverse Defeat Ridge and Chilly Gulch. This document illustrates the high-desert ranching and water management systems necessary for survival in the arid Red Basin and The Badlands during the mid-20th century.