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2010 Map of Atarque Lake

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Atarque Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Atarque Lake and the surrounding high desert of western New Mexico define this landscape, where water management is the central theme of settlement. The map reveals a sophisticated network of ranching infrastructure, evidenced by numerous named water sources including the Franciscan Windmill, Chalk Windmill, and Deep Windmill. These features, alongside larger operations like the Beggs Cattle Company and Atarque Ranch, illustrate the reliance on groundwater in a region carved by seasonal drainage systems such as Thompson Draw and Venadito Draw.

The topography is dominated by the looming presence of Masa Colorado to the northeast and the depths of Atarque Canyon to the south. Transportation in this arid environment is facilitated by County RD-32, which connects isolated landmarks like the Carter Windmill to the broader ranching community. The map provides a precise look at the 2010 distribution of these vital desert waypoints, which are critical for understanding the genealogy of local ranching families and the historical geography of Cibola County.