1981 Map of Luera Mountains NW

About this map

The Luera Mountains dominate the southeastern portion of this Catron County landscape, where the high desert terrain rises sharply from the surrounding plains. In this arid reach of New Mexico, the distribution of water sources reveals the vital infrastructure of ranching and survival. A network of widely spaced landmarks such as Sanchez Well 6899, Navajo Well, and Granoso Well indicates a reliance on deep groundwater across the open range. The map documents an intricate system of land management, marked by fine dashed lines representing selected fence lines that divide the sections. From the elevations of Sheep Well to the lower reaches near Middle Well 6860, the survey provides a precise accounting of the sparse but critical resources that supported the pastoral economy of the region during the early 1980s.