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1985 Map of Wrather Arch

Name: 1985 Topographic Map of Wrather Arch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1985
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1985

About this map

Wrather Arch stands as a prominent natural landmark within the complex terrain of the Paria Canyon corridor during the mid-1980s. This survey illustrates a landscape defined by the winding course of the Paria River as it carves through the massive Paria Plateau. The presence of several family-named or utilitarian water sources, such as Mackelprang Tank, Franks Reservoir, and Lynn Tank, indicates the vital importance of water management for cattle ranching across these arid uplands.

The high desert geography transitions from the flat expanses of Adams Pasture to the shifting Sand Hills, all punctuated by distinct geological formations like Hole in the Rock and Bridger Point. The map also traces various 4wd tracks that provide the only mechanized access through areas like Little Valley and along Button Ridge, reflecting the era's reliance on rugged transportation for land use and survey work.