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2023 Map of Shannon Canyon

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Shannon Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The San Andres Mountains dominate the eastern landscape of this Sierra County quadrangle, where the terrain transitions into the restricted territory of the White Sands Missile Range. This arid environment is defined by an intricate network of drainage features and livestock watering points, such as Hardin Tank and Middle Tank. The hydrology of the area is carved into the earth through deep conduits like Shannon Canyon and South Canyon, which channel seasonal runoff from the higher elevations.

Rural infrastructure is primarily composed of ranching roads and tracks, including the Walker Loop and Walker Dr in the southeastern corner. Evidence of the region's reliance on groundwater is found in named locations like Waterhole Draw and Well Canyon. These labels reflect a landscape where survival and commerce have long been dictated by the location of reliable water sources and the challenging topography of the high desert basins.