2013 Map of Arrowhead Well

About this map

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory VLA Telescope dominates the western edge of this Socorro County landscape, reflecting the high-altitude scientific importance of this remote basin. The topography transitions from the low-lying Sand Hills and White Lake in the north to the rising elevations of the Cibola National Forest in the south and east. A network of high-desert infrastructure is evident, with State Route 52 and Us-60 providing primary access, while the original alignment of Old Highway 60 remains visible on the terrain. Water management for ranching and forest use is a central theme, highlighted by scattered features like Arrowhead Well, Broke Tank, and Durfee Tank. To the southeast, the terrain becomes more complex as the land drops into Durfee Canyon, providing a stark contrast to the open flats used by the observatory's radio array.