Discussions about water resources often focus on rivers, streams, and reservoirs. Though unseen, groundwater is also an important source of the water supply. Aquifers, which are water-bearing layers of rock underground, serve as reservoirs of usable groundwater. While aquifers can be fed by streams and rivers, they can also exist in places without any visible surface water. And they’re a lot more common than you might think.
This gorgeous map from Anna Riling of Four Corners Mapping shows the vast Navajo Aquifer in northeastern Arizona. The map relies on a combination of Indigenous knowledge and government data to map water resources and Indigenous communities in a region known as Black Mesa, or Dził Yíjiin in Navajo.
The map’s stunning backdrop blends real-world imagery with terrain hillshades. Together, the colors and shading bring the arid mountain and desert landscape to life. The Navajo Aquifer’s extent stands out as a blue outline against the clay-colored map.
You can also see other hydrologic features like rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Perennial—or flowing—streams show up as blue arteries snaking across the desert. Intermittent and ephemeral streams appear as staggered, broken lines that reflect their seasonal nature. These effects highlight the scarcity of surface water and the importance of the Navajo Aquifer.
The map also includes other features to provide context. Population centers and chapter houses dot the map. A network of rural roads, many of which are dirt, crisscross near peaks and passes. This transforms the map into both a navigational aid for Black Mesa residents and an important catalog of water resources for the Hopi and Navajo people.
More to Explore
- Browse a map of global streamflows.
- Discover a map of aquifers in the US.
