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2020 Map of Horse Lake

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Horse Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-elevation landscape of Rio Arriba County, dictated by the dramatic verticality of the Tecolote Rim and Tecolote Mesa. At the heart of the region lies Horse Lake, a significant water body flanked by the rising slopes of Horse Lake Mesa. This drainage system is further defined by seasonal water sources including Paiz Pond, Turkey Pond, and Grouse Pond, which provide rare surface water in this arid environment.

The presence of the Pump House Canyon and the Horse Lake Gap suggests a landscape shaped by both natural erosion and human management of water resources. In the northern reaches, the Cañada de Tio Roque cuts through the high country, while Cinnamon Lake occupies the southwestern portion of the map. This topographic study illuminates the complex hydrology of the high mesa country, where terrain features like Loma Prado and Middle Gap create a network of natural corridors.