1981 Map of Spring Water Canyon

About this map

Cienega Creek winds through the heart of this landscape, supporting a series of remote ranching operations in the early 1980s. The map documents the cattle-raising infrastructure of Pima County, where life revolved around vital water sources like Diamond A Windmill and Cottonwood Windmill. Family-named landmarks such as Cienega Ranch, Hummel Ranch, and Clyne Ranch mark the sparse human footprint across the desert terrain. The drainage systems of Spring Water Canyon and Gardner Canyon define the topography, punctuated by numerous wells and tanks essential for livestock. A solitary Drill Hole near the eastern edge suggests the mineral exploration common to this region of Arizona. This survey serves as a precise record of rural land use, capturing the location of historic line shacks, windmills, and seasonal seeps before later developments or environmental shifts altered the high-desert watershed.