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2020 Map of Cow Canyon

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Cow Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Palomas lies at the southern edge of this survey, situated where the high tablelands of Mesa Rica meet the drainage systems of eastern New Mexico. The landscape is defined by deep incisions through the mesa, including Cow Canyon and Vigil Canyon, which serve as vital conduits for seasonal water flow. A network of livestock tanks such as Paul Tank, Elliott Tank, and Kauffman Tank underscores the ranching heritage of this arid region, providing the necessary water infrastructure for cattle across the open range.

The boundary between San Miguel County and Quay County bisects the northern reaches, cutting across Hondo Canyon. This area illustrates the transition from the flat-topped mesa summits to the winding beds of Pajarito Creek and the Arroyo de las Palomas. Modern infrastructure is limited to routes like HWY 104 and local roads such as Q R Az, leaving much of the terrain in its traditional state of canyon-and-mesa ranch land.