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1996 Map of Shannon Canyon

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

USGS Topo · Published 2002

About this map

Shannon Canyon and the surrounding drainage systems of Sierra County define this high-desert landscape in the mid-1990s. The region is characterized by an extensive network of water management features, including the Adobe House Tank, Buldin Tank, and the grouped Hardin Tanks, which support land use across the dry terrain. The presence of Rabbit Well and Shannon Well alongside several unnamed drill holes suggests a reliance on subterranean water sources to sustain local activity.

Erosion and water flow have carved significant geological markers such as Big Ditch Draw and Willow Draw, which funnel toward the major topographic depressions of South Canyon and Brushy Canyon. While infrastructure is limited to sparse 4wd tracks, the specific naming of landmarks like Deer Lick Draw points to a landscape deeply understood by those who navigate its relief. This survey provides a precise look at the arid hydrology and canyon topography of the area before the turn of the 21st century.