2020 Map of Taunton

About this map

Saddle Mountains dominate the southern portion of this landscape, rising sharply above the Wahluke Slope and the irrigation infrastructure of the Wahluke Branch Canal. The settlement of Taunton sits at the foot of these elevations, positioned near the crossing of Saddle Gap. This area serves as a significant ecological corridor, evidenced by the extensive acreage of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, which protect the riparian zones along Lower Crab Creek. The map reflects a desert environment transformed by large-scale water management, where the contrast between the protected riverine habitats and the engineered canal system defines the local geography. The inclusion of the Hanford Reach National Monument further emphasizes the regional focus on conservation and historical land use along the border of Grant and Adams counties.