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1997 Map of Water Pockets

Name: 1997 Topographic Map of Water Pockets
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2003
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2003

About this map

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness dominate this high-desert landscape in northern Arizona. The area is characterized by the dramatic descent from the Paria Plateau into the deeply incised channel of the Paria River. Named features like Water Pockets and Thousand Pockets reveal the vital role of natural water catchment in this arid terrain, where erosion has carved out basins that historically sustained travelers and wildlife.

Surface water management is evidenced by the Cedar Mountain Catchment and Bush Head Tank, while topographical landmarks such as Cedar Mountain and Horse Ridge provide orientation across the vast Sand Hills and Bush Head Valley. The map also details the narrow corridor of Thousand Pockets Canyon and the expansive Ferry Swale, marking a landscape shaped by both geological forces and the scarce distribution of water.