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2016 Map of Sunbeam

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Sunbeam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The settlement of Sunbeam sits at a critical intersection of terrain and water in Northwest Colorado, where the wide valley of the Yampa River meets a complex system of drainage and mesas. The landscape is defined by its arid hydrology, with vital water management infrastructure like the Maybell Ditch supporting land use near the riverbank. Prominent landforms such as Peck Mesa, Indian Rock, and Boston Hill frame the river corridor, while the northern reaches of the quadrangle are dominated by the high topography of the Godiva Rim and the Bald Mountain Basin.

Evidence of historical land use and travel is found in the network of county roads, including Co RD 10 and Co RD 143, which navigate around features like Thornburg Draw and Overholt Draw. These named draws and basins, including Suttles Basin and Simsberry Draw, indicate a reliance on seasonal runoff and the specific contours of the high desert plateau. The distinct separation between the flat river terrace of Boston Flat and the surrounding gulches illustrates the classic settlement patterns of the region.