1963 Map of John Mills Lake

About this map

John Mills Lake and the surrounding high-altitude terrain of Rio Arriba County dominate this mid-century landscape, defined by deep incisions like Burns Canyon and Cordova Canyon. The map reveals a remote area managed for utility and observation, featuring a Lookout Tower BM 8159 on a high ridge and several Wells scattered across the northern sections. Transportation is limited to rugged routes such as Pounds Mill Road, which snakes through the drainage systems. Water resources are critical in this environment, represented by the concentrated blue of Dulce Lake and isolated points like Puerto Spring. The topography is marked by significant landmarks like Piedra Agujero, while a Roadside Park suggests the presence of travelers through this isolated stretch of New Mexico high country during the early 1960s.