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1950 Map of Lake Lucero SE

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Lake Lucero SE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

White Sands Proving Grounds dominates this 1950 desert landscape, reflecting the post-war expansion of military testing and training sites in the American Southwest. The terrain is characterized by its isolation and the specialized water infrastructure required to sustain activity in such an arid environment. Military boundaries are clearly defined, specifically the Fort Bliss Anti-Aircraft Range which occupies the southern half of the quadrangle.

Survival in this high-altitude basin is evidenced by several remote water catchments and features. Notable landmarks for those tracing the historical geography of the area include Tompson Reservoir at the southern edge, alongside scattered resources like Windmill Water, Burch Tank, and Dousette Tank. These features indicate the tenuous balance between military utility and the fundamental need for water in Otero County.