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1955 Map of Sonsala Butte 2 NW

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Sonsala Butte 2 NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Navajo Indian Reservation lands dominate this mid-century topographic survey, centered on the high elevations of the Defiance Plateau. The landscape is defined by its dramatic drainage patterns, where deep incisions like Bihilinie Canyon and Yellowstone Canyon cut through the arid terrain. Water management is a primary feature of the area's geography, visible in the numerous dams and the Round Rock Reservoir situated at the foot of Gray Ridge.

The presence of scattered landmarks such as a solitary Windmill and named points like Tseyah suggest a territory shaped by traditional livestock movement and pastoral use. The map tracks the winding course of Lukachukai Creek and the ephemeral Agua Sal Sand Creek, which converge below landmarks like Sitting Coyote Mesa and Brown Ridge. This sheet provides a detailed look at the plateau's complex hydrology and traditional place names during the mid-1950s.