2020 Map of Desert

About this map

Alvarado and the sparsely populated Desert region of Otero County are documented in this 2020 US Topo study, which highlights a landscape defined by its arid topography and intermittent water resources. The terrain is marked by distinctive elevations like Three Buttes, which serve as primary landmarks in this expanse of southern New Mexico. A network of roads cuts through the desert, connecting the small settlement at Alvarado to the surrounding land. Water management is central to the area's utility, as seen with Alvarado Tank Number One, a critical piece of infrastructure for local livestock or land use in an otherwise dry environment. The map provides a detailed view of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) grid, showing the boundaries between t24s r7e, t24s r8e, t25s r7e, and t25s r8e.