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1942 Map of Clayton Basin

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Clayton Basin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Clayton Basin defines this high desert landscape along the border of Eddy and Lea counties, where industrial activity and ranching meet. The Potash Co of America Mine stands as a significant industrial landmark in the west, while a long-distance Pipeline and the southern tracks of the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad underscore the regional infrastructure of the mid-20th century.

Water is a central feature of this terrain, found in a series of depressions and sinks such as Walters Lake, Hackberry Lake, and the expansive Laguna Plata. Topographical landmarks like the Maroon Cliffs, Quahada Ridge, and Gatuna Canyon provide dramatic elevation changes across the basin. Isolated outposts like Lusk Ranch, Wood Ranch, and Clayton Wells indicate the sparse but established settlement patterns of the era, supported by local features like the Landing Strip and Tower Hill.