2023 Map of Cow Canyon

About this map

Mesa Rica dominates the northern landscape of this region, which straddles the line between San Miguel and Quay counties. The terrain is defined by a series of deep drainages, including Cow Canyon and Spring Canyon, which feed southward toward the larger Pajarito Creek valley. Water management for ranching is evident through numerous named collection points such as Hondo Tank, Elliott Tank, and Kauffman Tank. Near the southern boundary, the small settlement of Palomas sits alongside Arroyo de las Palomas. This 2023 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates how the modern transportation corridor of HWY 104 cuts across the high mesas and winding canyons of eastern New Mexico, providing a clear view of the rural geography and land divisions defined by the Public Land Survey System.