1970 Map of Cunavea Basin

About this map

The Cunavea Basin landscape in Quay County is defined by its arid, mesa-topped terrain and the vital reliance on isolated water sources. Published based on 1970 field data, this survey illustrates a sparse ranching environment where life centered around features like Hart Springs and Alamo Spring. The topography transitions from the high, flat basin floor into the carved drainage of Long Canyon and Hatfield Canyon. Human activity is marked primarily by infrastructure for livestock and resource extraction, including scattered Tanks, a central Water Tank, and a Gravel Pit. The map is particularly useful for identifying historical fence lines and remote Wells that often served as the only landmarks in this expansive section of the New Mexico plains.