Loading map...

2017 Map of Chise

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

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Sierra Cuchillo and the high desert peaks of Cuchillo Mtn dominate this 2017 study of the Sierra County landscape. The settlement of Chise is positioned along the banks of Cuchillo Negro Creek, where the watercourse cuts through a series of dramatic landforms including Margarita Canyon and Montoya Canyon. This area reveals a history of land use tied to the sparse water sources of the high desert, evidenced by the named tanks and springs that punctuate the arid terrain.

Industrial and agricultural history is etched into the topography through features like Old Mill Canyon and Mine Road Canyon. The drainage patterns are clearly defined by complex systems like Little Willow Draw and Willow Spring Draw, illustrating how the seasonal movement of water has shaped the high-altitude environment of central New Mexico. Secondary roads such as Chiz Rd and Hok Rd provide the primary access through these canyons and across the mesas.