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1972 Map of Atarque Lake

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Atarque Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Atarque Ranch and the seasonal basin of Atarque Lake anchor this high-altitude landscape in western New Mexico. The geography is defined by a series of significant drainage systems, including Atarque Canyon, Venadito Draw, and Thompson Draw, which cut through the tablelands of Mesa Colorado. To the northwest, the map includes a portion of the Zuni Indian Reservation.

The distribution of named landmarks across this arid region reflects the critical importance of water management for cattle ranching. A network of individual wells and pumps, such as Franciscan Windmill, Solomon Windmill, and Barelas Windmill, are specifically labeled, providing a clear picture of the pastoral infrastructure used during the early 1970s. These features, along with smaller washes like Pinitos Draw and Terrero Draw, offer specific points of interest for those studying the regional ranching history and land use of Valencia County.