Physiography
Elevation
6200 ft (1895 m)
General Topographic Description
The Shepherd site is located on a gentle east facing slope overlooking Crow Canyon and the larger Montezuma Valley. The vicinity consists of rolling uplands formed on the top of the Dakota Sandstone. These uplands are covered by eolian silt loam approximately .75 m thick. These eolian soils were heavily farmed by early Puebloans of the Mesa Verde culture, and are farmed commercially today.
Perennial Water Source(s)
McElmo Creek, 2470 m to the south, is the only permanent water source in the area.
Intermittent
Local seeps and natural impoundments in Crow Canyon 100 m to the west.
Water-Impoundment Features
None.