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2001 Map of Sapinero

Name: 2001 Topographic Map of Sapinero
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2004
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2004

About this map

Sapinero Mesa and Soap Mesa dominate this landscape in western Colorado, where the waters of the Gunnison River are held by the Blue Mesa Reservoir. The small settlement of Sapinero is positioned near the reservoir's banks within the Curecanti National Recreation Area, reflecting a mid-century shift from river-based transit to recreation and water management. High plateaus are dissected by numerous drainages, including Pine Creek and Willow Creek, which flow toward the canyon floor.

Evidence of ranching and early infrastructure appears at the Elizondo Ranch and along the Twelfth Standard Parallel North. Further west, the terrain drops dramatically into the Gunnison Black Canyon of the River, where a Powerhouse and Substa indicate the industrial utilization of the river's steep descent. This map captures the intersection of public land management within the Gunnison National Forest and the development of the Curecanti unit.