1981 Map of Shannon Canyon

About this map

Shannon Canyon and its complex network of seasonal drainages define this arid landscape within the White Sands Missile Range in the early 1980s. The geography is marked by a reliance on water management for ranching or military operations, evidenced by numerous named catchment features like Hardin Tanks, Adobe House Tank, and Shannon Tanks. The eastern edge of the map rises into the rugged foothills where White Gap provides a natural passage through the elevated terrain. Movement across the western flats is facilitated by a Jeep Trail, connecting scattered infrastructure such as Rabbit Well and South Tank. The naming conventions of the draws, including Big Ditch Draw and Deer Lick Draw, suggest a history of local land use tied to the sparse water resources and natural landmarks of this Sierra County region.