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1996 Map of Sand Wells

Name: 1996 Topographic Map of Sand Wells
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2002
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2002

About this map

The Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation landscape is defined by its arid terrain and the critical infrastructure developed to manage water in the Sonoran desert. Centered around Black Mountain, the map reveals a network of water management features, including Standing Bar Tank, Pad Wo'o Tank, and the Black Mtn Well. These sites, along with the Corral Water Tank, reflect the essential adaptations required for life and livestock in Pima County. The eastern portion of the sheet is dominated by the steep slopes of the North Comobabi Mountains, where several unnamed Prospects suggest historical interest in mineral exploration.

Transportation and drainage are closely tied, with the Ko Vaya Wash serving as a prominent topographic guide through the desert floor. The small settlement of Sand Wells sits near the base of the mountains, illustrating the typical pattern of human habitation located near reliable water sources and sheltered by high ground. This 1996 survey records a period of established reservation life and persistent small-scale land use prior to the turn of the century.