1980 Map of El Paso Draw

About this map

Fort Bliss Military Reservation (Mc Gregor Range) dominates this high-desert landscape in Otero County, where land use was strictly defined by military boundaries and water management. This area is characterized by drainage patterns like El Paso Draw and Wildcat Draw, which are punctuated by numerous catchment systems essential for survival in the arid environment. These features, often named after families or local landmarks, include Ruthford Tanks, Van Winkle Tank, and Payne Tanks. The presence of Gravel Tanks suggests localized resource extraction within the reservation's perimeter. This map serves as a detailed record of the infrastructure supporting both military operations and environmental adaptations in the late twentieth-century American Southwest, documenting how natural features were harnessed and modified.