The Littlefield 7.5' quadrangle lies in the extreme northwestern corner of Mohave County, Arizona (fig. 1). Elevations range from about 536.5 m (1,760 ft) at the Virgin River (south-central edge of quadrangle) to 975 m (3,200 ft) in the Beaver Dam Mountains (northeastern corner of quadrangle). Interstate Arizona Highway 15 and U.S. Highway 91 provides a general access to the quadrangle while several unimproved dirt roads lead to remote areas of the quadrangle. The community of Littlefield, Arizona is just southeast of Interstate 15 along the west bank of the Virgin River, and the community of Beaver Dam, Arizona is just northwest of Interstate 15 in the valley of Beaver Dam Wash (fig. 1). Population of both communities is about 300 people. The environment, topography, and geography is typical of the Mohave Desert of Nevada and California.
There are about 9 sections of private land in the quadrangle and 5 sections belonging to the state of Arizona. The balance is public land administrated by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Strip District in St. George, Utah. The area supports sparse growth of desert shrubs, mainly creosote bush and cactus. Dense growths of tamerisk (Salt Cedar), cottonwood, and willow trees thrive along the alluvial terraces and banks of the Virgin River. A variety of water loving plants thrive in warm spring waters on the east side of the Virgin River near the Interstate 15 bridge, and in Beaver Dam Wash, northwest corner of the quadrangle.
