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2020 Map of Ancho

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Ancho
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Ancho Valley provides the central corridor for this Lincoln County landscape, where the high desert terrain transitions into the rugged northern reaches of the Lincoln National Forest. The small settlement of Ancho is the primary landmark, serving as a focal point for researchers interested in the rural development of this region. Just north of the town site lies the Ancho Cem, a critical site for genealogists tracing the local families who settled this arid valley.

The topography is defined by significant elevation changes, rising from the valley floor toward the Jicarilla Mountains and Jacks Peak. Numerous drainages such as Ancho Gulch, Little Nugget Gulch, and Rico Gulch suggest a history of ephemeral water management and mining potential. Further out, the presence of Sinks Tank and Northwest Tank highlights the vital importance of water storage for ranching and survival in the high country between Luna and the surrounding canyons.