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1951 Map of Derrick Draw

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Derrick Draw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Greer Ranch and King Ranch anchor the northern landscape of this Chaves County quadrangle, where the topography is defined by the ephemeral drainage of Long Arroyo. Surveyed in 1951 with revisions from 1975, the map documents a sparse ranching economy dependent on subterranean water sources. A network of named wells and landmarks like Rattlesnake Windmill, Calhoun Windmill, and Walker Windmill are scattered across the high plains, illustrating the vital role of water infrastructure in this arid environment.

The southern portion of the sheet transitions into Buffalo Valley and the namesake Derrick Draw, where Derrick Ranch sits near the winding waterway. The inclusion of a Pumping Station and an abandoned windmill reflects the evolving nature of local resource management. This survey provides a clear view of the cadastral grid and ranching tracts before the expansion of more modern infrastructure, preserving the names of the families and landmarks that shaped this part of the New Mexico interior.