2017 Map of Hernandez Lake

About this map

The arid landscape along the border of De Baca and Chaves Counties is defined by its vital water management features, serving a region shaped by ranching and resource management. The geography is dominated by numerous draws and ephemeral basins, including Hernandez Draw and Salt Draw, which channel seasonal runoff through this high desert environment. Notable landmarks such as Hernandez Lake and Salt Lake provide focal points in the terrain, while the map reveals a extensive network of named stock tanks and depressions. These features, including Grandpa Tank, Windy Smith Tank, and McDowell Tank, indicate the historic reliance on collected water for livestock in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The presence of Van Eaton Draw and White Draw further illustrates the complex drainage patterns of the area, while local routes like Olive RD and Co RD 4 provide the few reliable paths through this sparsely settled corner of New Mexico.