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2017 Map of Carlsbad West

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Carlsbad West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The Pecos River and its accompanying Main Canal define the eastern reach of this landscape, where the waters of Lake Avalon are managed for the surrounding arid terrain. The city of Carlsbad and West Carlsbad show a dense grid of residential expansion near the New Mexico State University - Carlsbad campus, contrasting with the open draws and hills to the west. This area is characterized by numerous natural water sources tucked into the topography, including Carlsbad Spring Number 16, Mc Kitric Spring, and Lassiter Spring.

Moving westward, the terrain rises into the Ocotillo Hills and the southern extent of the Guadalupe Mountains. Dry watercourses like Soapberry Draw, Adobe Draw, and Hackberry Draw carve through the limestone landscape, illustrating the drainage patterns that feed toward the river valley. Sparse settlements like Four Forks and the residential pocket of Happy Valley mark the transition from the urban center to the rugged, high-desert backcountry.