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1963 Map of Gage SE

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Gage SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

Arid grazing land and ephemeral drainage patterns define this Luna County landscape, where the distribution of water sources shaped the movement of people and livestock in the early 1960s. The small settlement of Palomas sits in the northeast, while the rest of the quadrangle is punctuated by essential ranching infrastructure. A series of named wells, including Klondike Windmill, Big Windmill, and Halfway Windmill, reveal the reliance on groundwater to sustain life in this high desert environment.

Water management is further evidenced by landmarks like Lookout Tank and Terry Tank, as well as the Palomas Draw Retention Dam No 7, which manages runoff during seasonal storms. Major drainage systems such as Seventysix Draw and Flying W Draw cut across the terrain, illustrating the natural conduits that define the local topography. This survey provides a clear view of the logistical requirements for settlement and agriculture in New Mexico's southwestern ranching country.