1981 Map of Juan Largo Canyon West

About this map

Richards Ranch serves as a primary human landmark in this section of Lincoln County, where the high desert landscape is defined by the deep incisions of Juan Largo Canyon and Little Hasperos Canyon. The settlement pattern reflects a ranching economy reliant on scattered water improvements, including Middle Well and several named livestock catchments like Philpot Tank and Mexican Tank. The 1981 data, based on mid-1970s aerial photography, shows a landscape of drainage draws and ranch infrastructure, such as Hines Draw and the isolated Line Camp Tank, illustrating the vast distances between reliable water sources in this part of New Mexico. The presence of a pipeline and several tanks such as Pipeline Tank indicates the managed efforts to support grazing across the dry canyon floors.