2013 Map of Benavidez Ranch

About this map

The Rio Puerco river cuts a complex path through the high desert landscape west of Albuquerque, defining the character of this arid region. This 2013 survey illustrates a sparsely populated terrain where the borders of Sandoval and Bernalillo Counties meet. Land use is characterized by large holdings and designated territories, most notably the Laguna Indian Res which occupies the northwestern portion of the map. Traces of human activity are concentrated around the Rio Puerco Ranch and along the Indian Service Rd, showing how transportation and settlement patterns are dictated by the natural drainage of the Cañada de los Canoncitos. The map offers a clear look at the public land survey system, meticulously detailing the townships and ranges that overlay this rugged New Mexican topography.