1981 Map of C-N Lake

About this map

The Radio Telescope Track (VLA) cuts a striking diagonal path across this Catron County landscape, representing the northeast arm of the Very Large Array. This high-desert terrain is defined by its necessity for water, evidenced by a network of scattered water sources including C-N Lake, Graham Well, and Espanola Well. The distribution of these features across the quadrangle suggests a territory dedicated to large-scale ranching operations, where named points like the West Pasture Windmill served as critical landmarks for land management. To the south and east, additional infrastructure like Woods Well and Stien Well further illustrate the sparse but vital human footprint on this arid plateau. The presence of a dedicated Antenna site near the telescope track underscores the region's mid-century transition into a global center for radio astronomy, set against a traditional backdrop of western livestock grazing.