2020 Map of Dark Canyon

About this map

The high desert landscape of Chaves County is defined by a complex network of arroyos and drainage basins, notably the central Dark Canyon. This 2020 topographic study illustrates the sparse but intentional infrastructure required to navigate the basin and range province of New Mexico, where narrow county roads like Co RD 145 and Squaw Canyon Rd follow the natural contours of the land. Water sources, while infrequent, are localized around features such as Dagger Lake and Squaw Cr, which serve as vital points of interest in an otherwise arid environment. The map details a series of named geographical features, from Horse Canyon to Montoya Canyon, that have likely served as landmarks for generations of local ranchers and travelers. The land is organized by the Public Land Survey System, shown here across the boundaries of Townships 14 and 15 South.