2010 Map of Dark Canyon

About this map

Isolated cattle operations and water management systems define this high-desert reach of Chaves County. Gressett Ranch and Crooked Creek Ranch sit as primary outposts in a landscape deeply carved by drainages like Dark Canyon and Cedar Canyon. The presence of the Challenge Windmill, East Header Windmill, and Pipeline Windmill indicates the critical importance of water infrastructure for the regional ranching economy. This terrain is marked by seasonal watercourses such as Crooked Creek and Squaw Creek, which have sculpted a series of dramatic canyon systems including Cherry Canyon and Montoya Canyon. Transportation is limited to a network of local routes like County Rd-145 and Buchanan Draw Rd, which follow the natural contours of the land to connect these remote holdings.