2010 Map of Bell Lake

About this map

Bell Lake and its namesake Bell Lake Windmill anchor this high desert landscape in Lea County, illustrating the vital role of water infrastructure in the arid Chihuahuan Desert. The map reveals a remote ranching economy defined by isolated outposts and wind-powered water sources. The Double X Ranch serves as a central hub for the area's movement, situated at the junction of several unpaved transit routes including County Rd 2. Evidence of the region's industrial and agricultural reliance on groundwater is visible through clusters of features like the Slick Windmills to the east and the Pipeline Windmill to the southwest. Surface water is sparse, with Red Tank representing one of the few named catchment features in the southeastern portion of the quadrangle. This 2010 survey documents a landscape where modern infrastructure and traditional ranching life intersect along roads such as Brinstool Rd.