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1982 Map of Hatchet Ranch

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of Hatchet Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The Hatchet Ranch stands as a primary landmark in this arid landscape of Hidalgo County, located where the Hachita Valley meets the rising elevations of the Hatchet Mountains. This 1982 survey illustrates a region defined by water management and conservation, characterized by numerous stock tanks such as Dishpan Tank, Badger Tank, and Batter Tank. These artificial water sources reflect the ranching economy required to sustain life in the high desert of the southwestern corner of New Mexico.

A large portion of the quadrangle is occupied by the State Game Refuge, indicating the area's importance for local wildlife protection. The topography is marked by significant drainage features and gaps, including Lone Cedar Gap and Muscratch Draw, while the peaks of the Sierra Rica rise to the northeast. The presence of named canyons like Horse Pasture Canyon and Sheridan Canyon provides insight into the naming conventions of early settlers and land managers in this isolated borderlands territory.