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1979 Map of Belen

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Belen
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Isleta Pueblo and the surrounding river valley dominate this late-1970s landscape, where the Rio Grande creates a green ribbon of agriculture and settlement through the high desert. The map captures the distinct Subdivision Tome Road Pattern and the sprawling Rio Grande Estates, illustrating the transition from traditional land grants like Nicolas Duran de Chavez to modern residential planning. To the east, the sharp rise of the Cibola National Forest divides the valley from the high plains of Estancia and Moriarty.

Transportation corridors including the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad and multiple drainage systems like the Barr Interior Drain underscore the engineering required to manage this arid environment. Significant land use is marked by the presence of Kirtland Air Force Base and the Blackbird Mine, while local landmarks such as El Cerro de Tome and Manzano Lookout provide essential orientation in the varied topography of Valencia and Torrance counties.