2017 Map of Atarque Lake

About this map

Atarque Lake sits in a high-desert landscape of Cibola County, where the terrain is defined by a series of significant drainage systems and prominent landforms. The map shows the convergence of several major draws, including Venadito Draw and Pinitos Draw, which carve through the high plateaus. The presence of Mesa Colorado in the northeast serves as a major geographical landmark in this sparsely populated region. Human infrastructure is minimal, represented primarily by Co Rd 32, which provides the only major vehicle access through the townships. The drainage patterns of Atarque Canyon and Terrero Draw reveal the complex natural hydrology that dictates the use of this New Mexico back-country, where water and topography have historically shaped the routes and settlements of the high plains.