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2013 Map of French Mesa

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

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

Llaves sits at the northwestern edge of this landscape, where the high desert terrain of Rio Arriba County meets the managed timberlands of the Santa Fe National Forest. This 2013 survey illustrates a landscape defined by dramatic elevation changes, moving from the winding course of the Rio Gallina and its tributaries like Arroyo Blanco up to the broad plateau of French Mesa. The map reveals a network of vital water points essential for life in this arid environment, including numerous named stock tanks such as Tonya Tank, Wendy Tank, and La Jara Tank.

The presence of small settlements like Northcutt and the geological prominence of Cerro Blanco highlight the sparse but established human footprint in the region. Transportation is anchored by NM-112 and the rugged French Mesa Rd, providing access through the canyons of Cañon de Chavez and the deep cuts of Cañada de la Tableta. For researchers, the map provides a precise record of late-modern land use, water management, and public land boundaries within the complex topography of the American Southwest.