Loading map...

1982 Map of Lumley Lake NE

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of Lumley Lake NE
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

White Sands Missile Range dominates this high-desert landscape on the border of Sierra and Otero Counties, as documented in this 1982 orthophotomap. The terrain is characterized by sparse water sources and specialized land use, where man-made infrastructure like Crossroad Tank and Big Tank supported ranching or early settlement in a region later transition to military testing. The Denver Site appears in the northern reaches, while the southeastern corner is marked by seasonal water features like Turner Lake and the drainage of Three Rivers.

This survey combines traditional topographic contours with aerial photography, revealing the intricate drainage patterns and scrub-covered flats of the Tularosa Basin. Human activity is evidenced by scattered landmarks such as Turner Well and a Gravel Pit, providing a rare look at the functional layout of this restricted territory before modern developments. The presence of these named sites offers essential context for researchers tracing the early 20th-century occupation of this arid New Mexico interior.