1967 Map of Cottonwood Draw

About this map

The Pecos River carves a green corridor through the arid drainage basins of Chaves County, defining a landscape of ranching and water management in the late 1960s. Settled outposts such as Benedict Ranch and Cottonwood Ranch are situated near the complex network of ephemeral watercourses, including Cottonwood Draw and Alkali Draw, which channel seasonal runoff toward the river valley. The map reveals an intensive reliance on subterranean water sources, marked by numerous named landmarks like Badger Well, Indian Well, and Rabbit Well, alongside the functional River Windmill. Evidence of late-century resource exploration is visible through scattered Oil Well sites and Drill Holes, particularly near the settlement of Bosque. This survey documents a critical junction of traditional New Mexico ranching and modern industrial utility, punctuated by essential landmarks like the Ford and several permanent water sources including Sixmile Spring.