2020 Map of Atarque Lake

About this map

Atarque Lake sits as a central feature in this arid landscape of Cibola County, reflecting the drainage patterns of the high desert plateau. The terrain is defined by several prominent erosional features, including Venadito Draw and the broad Mesa Colorado to the north, which give way southward toward Atarque Canyon. These seasonal drainage systems, including Pinitos Draw and Terrero Draw, provide essential orientation in a region where water sources dictate the history of land use. Transport through this remote section of the county is facilitated by Co RD 32, which follows the natural contours of the land. The map illustrates the stark physical geography of the Zuni plateau region, showing the relationship between mesa tops and the drainage basins that eventually feed the intermittent lake bed.