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2023 Map of Horseshoe Bend

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Horseshoe Bend
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The Rio Hondo carves a winding path through this corner of the High Plains, define by its dramatic oxbow at Horseshoe Bend. This landscape is shaped by complex drainage systems and canyons, where landmarks like Border Hill and Bonney Canyon rise above the surrounding terrain. The distribution of water is a critical theme, noted by the presence of isolated man-made structures such as the Rock House Tank and Serapio Nuñez Tank, which likely supported local ranching operations in this arid environment.

Transportation through this portion of Lincoln County is limited to a few arterial routes like Co RD e022 and the distinctively named Baton Rouge Rd. The map also traces the boundary between Lincoln and Chaves counties as it intersects dry washes including Rocky Arroyo and South Fork Rocky Draw. Researchers can see how modern land management and ranching infrastructure have adapted to the deep draws and canyons like Johnson Draw and Antelope Draw.