2023 Map of La Joya NW

About this map

The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge occupies the eastern portion of this landscape, where the high desert terrain meets the intermittent waters of the Rio Puerco. This 2023 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates a sparsely populated region of Socorro County characterized by dramatic elevation changes. In the southwest, the Sierra Ladrones rise sharply, providing a backdrop to the network of dry washes and canyons that define the local hydrology. Drainages such as Mariano Draw, Cañada Colorado, and Arroyo Tio Lino trace the natural paths of seasonal runoff through the arid basin. Infrastructure is limited to essential connectors like Co RD 12 and the route of Old Hwy 85, which facilitate travel through this protected and open range environment.