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2023 Map of Snively Basin

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

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Rattlesnake Mountain dominates the southern landscape of this Benton County region, where the high desert terrain meets significant federal conservation areas. The northern portion of the map is defined by the Hanford Reach National Monument and the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, marking a transition from protected wildlife habitats to the managed lands of the Hanford site vicinity. The geography is etched by seasonal water sources and topographic depressions, most notably Snively Basin and the winding Snively Gulch.

Hydrography in this arid environment is localized around a series of vital springs, including Upper Snively Spring, Lower Snively Spring, and Benson Spring. These water points, along with Cold Creek and Snipes Creek, have historically dictated movement and land use across the sagebrush-covered hills. A sparse network of roads like Bennett Rd and Crooks Rd provides access to the rugged interior canyons.