2017 Map of Cooley Lake

About this map

Deering Place and the Howell Ranch anchor this high plains landscape along the border of Chaves and De Baca counties. The terrain is defined by a series of isolated water features and significant relief, including Cooley Lake in the northwest and Salt Lake at the southern edge. The area's ranching legacy is reflected in the extensive grid of rural roads, such as Liberty School Rd and Enchantment Rd, which connect scattered homesteads and livestock tanks. Dominant topographical landmarks like La Espia Peak, Eighteenmile Hill, and Watts Hill provide navigational cues across the arid landscape. The presence of White Draw and Urton Lake further illustrates the complex drainage patterns and seasonal water sources that have historically supported grazing and local settlement in this part of New Mexico.