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2013 Map of Elk

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of Elk
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

The high canyon country of the Sacramento Mountains defines this 2013 study, where the small settlement of Elk sits along the banks of the Rio Peñasco. This drainage is a critical corridor in the arid landscape, supporting the Elk Cem and various ranching infrastructure within the Lincoln National Forest. The topography is a complex network of named draws and canyons, including Graveyard Canyon and Telephone Canyon, which indicate the early 20th-century arrival of communication lines in these remote uplands.

Water management is central to life here, evidenced by numerous livestock tanks such as Mathews Tank Number 1 and Gravel Tank. The rugged geography is further detailed by landmarks like Wind Mtn and the deep incision of Agua Chiquita Canyon. The road network, including Us HWY 82 and Elk Canyon Rd, follows the natural contours of the land, connecting the isolated homesteads and ranching sites that have persisted in this part of Chaves County for generations.