1988 Map of Topaz Mountain SW

About this map

Whirlwind Valley and the Wildcat Hills define this high desert landscape along the border of Juab and Millard Counties. Mapping from late 1980s aerial photography shows a complex network of intermittent watercourses, including Swasey Wash and Fish Springs Wash, which drain the arid basins and surrounding uplands. A rare permanent water source, Swasey Springs, is located at the base of the western slopes, a critical point for local land use and survival in this environment. The presence of Dry Lake Creek and the broad alluvial flats of the Bottom area near the Swasey region suggest seasonal patterns of runoff and collection. This survey provides an essential view of the hydrography of the Great Basin just before the turn of the 21st century, detailing the small topographic variations like the Knolls and the entrance to Horse Valley.