2013 Map of Blue Hole

About this map

High plains ranching and water management define this portion of Quay County in the early 21st century. The landscape is dominated by a systematic grid of section lines and gravel roads, including Quay Road 70 and Quay Road H, which serve isolated family holdings like Collins Ranch and the Cooper-Trew Ranch. This environment reveals the critical importance of water infrastructure in New Mexico's arid climate, evidenced by the high density of named windmills such as Granny Windmill, Shaffer Windmill, and Ivory Windmill. Local topography is punctuated by drainage features like Rana Arroyo and Frost Cr, which carve through the terrain toward Rana Canyon. Named locations such as Pharis and Dougherty provide reference points for genealogists and local historians tracking the development of these rural communities.