2023 Map of El Dado

About this map

El Dado and the surrounding high desert of McKinley County are defined by a complex network of arroyos and vital water sources in this 2023 survey. The landscape is marked by numerous named springs such as Peña Springs, Salazar Spring, and Montoya Spring, which historically sustained movement through this arid terrain. Topographical landmarks like Sombrero Alto and White Mesa provide navigational anchors across the quadrangle, while Cliff Dwelling Canyon hints at the deep human history inherent to the region. Water management is evident through features like Brown Tank and various lagunas, including Laguna Anaconda and Laguna Leon. These features, alongside the course of San Miguel Creek, illustrate how both natural drainage and catchment points dictate the settlement patterns of the small communities at Leon and El Dado.