2020 Map of Sand Spring

About this map

Sand Spring and the nearby Sand Springs form the hydrologic heart of this arid San Juan County landscape, providing essential water sources in a terrain defined by complex drainage networks. The map documents a high-desert environment where seasonal watercourses like Salt Wash and the extensive Shiprock Wash system have carved deep patterns into the topography. This 2020 USGS survey illustrates the modern intersection of tribal infrastructure and natural landforms within the Navajo Nation, as evidenced by the presence of Indian Rte 5020 and Indian Svc Rte 5020. These routes navigate the elevations between Red Wash in the north and the intricate tributaries of Little Shiprock Wash, reflecting a landscape where movement and settlement are closely tied to the available water and the natural corridors created by these ephemeral washes.