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1957 Map of Bluewater

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Bluewater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Haystack Mountain and the jagged volcanic expanse of The Malpais dominate this high-desert landscape northwest of Grants. The 1950s era of industrial growth is clearly visible here, marked by the prominent Anaconda Bluewater Mill and its associated Tailings Pond, signifying the region's mid-century uranium processing activity. The San Jose River provides a lifeline through the valley, supporting agricultural infrastructure like the Middle Ditch and Main Ditch near the village of Bluewater.

Transportation remains anchored to the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, which parallels the river and includes the Bluewater Siding. Further north, topographic features such as Mesa Montañosa and El Tintero rise above the surrounding lava flows, while a Strip Mine and Gravel Pit indicate the continued extraction of local geological resources. The county line between McKinley and Valencia Counties bisects the terrain, illustrating the administrative boundaries in this arid environment.