1963 Map of Arroyo Landavaso

About this map

Magdalena serves as the primary landmark in this high-desert landscape, situated just north of the Cibola National Forest boundary. The 1963 survey captures a terrain defined by intermittent drainages and essential water infrastructure, including the Landavaso Reservoir and named drainage systems like Arroyo Landavaso and Arroyo Montosa. The map provides a detailed record of water sources critical for ranching and livestock in Socorro County, featuring family-named or location-specific wells such as High Well, Boxcar Well, and the Gosey Well. To the southeast, the topography becomes more complex around Cerro Pelon and the deep cuts of Texas Canyon and Agua Frio Canyon. These features, along with the isolated Texas Spring, illustrate the sparse but deliberate human imprint on this arid region during the mid-20th century.