1995 Map of Carbon Springs

About this map

The Rio Salado carves a broad path through the northern reach of this landscape, its wide, braided bed defining the geography of northern Socorro County. To the west, the settlement of Riley sits near the head of Tanque Canyon, while the southern expanse is dominated by the complex terrain of the Cibola National Forest. This 1990s field survey documents a legacy of mountain industry and ranching, most notably at East Mill and the East New Mill further south. The land is defined by a network of seasonal water sources and deep incisions like Cañon de las Cabras and Cedar Canyon. Ranching life is anchored by the Gray and Ligon Ranch in the southeast, while numerous named water points like Carbon Springs, Boulder Springs, and Bear Springs highlight the critical importance of reliable water in this arid environment along the New Mexico Base Line.