2014 Map of Shonto NW

About this map

Shonto Plateau dominates the central landscape of this Navajo County region, characterized by its high-elevation terrain and deep incisions of drainage networks. The northern reaches are defined by the dramatic descent into Cliff Spring Canyon, while the southern expanse transitions into the drainages of Last End Wash and Begashibito Wash. This 2014 survey documents a sparse but vital network of water sources, including Adahka Spring and Sand Spring, which have historically been critical for life in this arid high-desert environment. Bureau of Indian Affairs routes like Bia-16 and Bia-6320 provide the primary infrastructure through the township and range divisions, connecting remote plateau sections to the deeper reaches of Shato Canyon in the southeast corner. The map illustrates a land defined by its geology, where the surface water is ephemeral but the named canyon systems are permanent markers of the landscape's evolution.