2017 Map of Desert

About this map

Alvarado and the settlement of Desert sit along the primary north-south transportation corridor through the arid Otero County landscape. This 2017 survey reveals a sparse distribution of human activity, defined primarily by the path of Highway 54 as it cuts through the Chihuahuan desert terrain. The landscape is characterized by intermittent water sources and distinct landforms, notably Alvarado Tank Number One and the prominent rising elevation of Three Buttes. The mapping of Public Land Survey System boundaries, including t24s r7e and t25s r8e, provides a structural grid over the open expanse, reflecting the historical division of New Mexico's public lands. This edition serves as a clear record of modern infrastructure and topographical markers in a region where water management and long-distance transit are the primary drivers of settlement patterns.