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1973 Map of Chico Draw West

Name: 1973 Topographic Map of Chico Draw West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Chico Ranch anchors the southeastern reaches of this West Texas landscape, where the seasonal hydrology of the Chihuahuan Desert dictates the patterns of ranching life. The terrain is characterized by a complex network of dry washes and canyons, most notably the winding paths of Chico Draw and Rock House Draw. This 1970s survey documents a highly developed system of water management for livestock, with numerous tanks such as Goodfellow Tanks, Deadhorse Tank, and Step Spring Tank scattered across the high desert elevations.

Remote trails and jeep tracks provide the only access through the rugged foothills surrounding North Mountain. These paths connect natural water sources like Seep Spring and Spring with man-made improvements, revealing the persistence of traditional cattle ranching in Culberson County. The map provides a detailed record of land use and family-named landmarks such as Wilson Tank and Paula Tank before modern shifts in regional land management.