Geologic Map and Geologic Hazards of the Three Points 7.5' Quadrangle, Pima County, Arizona, v. 2.0

This report and maps describe the geology, geomorphology, and geologic hazards in the Three Points quadrangle, on the southwestern fringe of the Tucson metropolitan area in unincorporated Pima County (Figure 1). The map area is located in the transition between the upland, moderately dissected Altar Valley to the south and the broad, undissected basin called Avra Valley to the north. The community of Three Points (also called Robles Junction) lies on the approximate boundary between these two geographic areas. The map includes a nine-mile- long reach of Brawley Wash, which cuts through the map area from southwest to northeast. Brawley Wash heads just south of the U.S. – Mexico border and drains all of Altar and Avra valleys before joining the Santa Cruz River northwest of Tucson. About 60 percent of the Three Points quadrangle consists of the northwestern piedmont of the Sierrita Mountains. The quadrangle also includes a small part of the northwestern piedmont of the Coyote Mountains and the southern fringe of the Roskruge Mountains. The quadrangle is generally undeveloped, and is currently used primarily for grazing. Some low-density suburban development has occurred around the community of Three Points and on the Sierrita and piedmont to the south. Much of the floodplain and terraces of Brawley Wash has been developed for agriculture. The Three Points quadrangle will likely experience much more urban/suburban development in the next few decades. This map and report may be of use in avoiding or mitigating geologic hazards in this area.