1981 Map of Cowboy Mesa

About this map

Cowboy Mesa rises as the central topographical landmark in this high-altitude landscape of Lincoln County, mapped from aerial photography taken during the early 1970s. The terrain is defined by a network of drainage systems and intermittent water sources, where the southward flow of Cowboy Draw and Buck Draw eventually give way to the more pronounced Arroyo Gallo in the southwestern reaches. Human presence in this environment is marked primarily by ranching infrastructure, evidenced by named water improvements like Clarence Tank and Buck Tank. These labels provide insight into the rural land use and the vital importance of water management in this arid stretch of New Mexico during the late twentieth century.