2013 Map of Atarque Lake

About this map

Atarque Lake dominates the southern landscape of this Cibola County interior, marking a significant hydrologic feature in an otherwise arid rangeland. The map reveals a land defined by water management and cattle ranching, where isolated outposts like the Atarque Ranch and Beggs Cattle Company serve as the primary hubs of human activity. This high-desert terrain is carved by complex drainage systems, including Venadito Draw and Terrero Draw, which channel seasonal runoff through the plains. The reliance on subterranean water sources is evident in the dense distribution of named wells across the township and range lines, such as Franciscan Windmill, Chalk Windmill, and Solomon Windmill. Transportation is sparse, anchored by the passage of Co Road 32, while topographic landmarks like Mesa Colorado and Atarque Canyon provide vertical relief in this expansive New Mexico territory.