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1972 Map of McNary

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of McNary
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Rio Grande defines the southwestern edge of this Hudspeth County landscape, serving as the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. The alluvial plain is heavily engineered for desert agriculture, dominated by an intricate network of irrigation and drainage infrastructure including the Hudspeth Main Canal, Algodon Canal, and the Mc Nary Lateral. These man-made waterways contrast sharply with the natural drainage of Arroyo Diablo and Madden Arroyo which cut through the higher ground to the northeast.

Transportation history is visible in the corridor of the Texas and Pacific railroad, which runs parallel to the Old Southern Pacific Railroad Grade. The small settlement of Mc Nary serves as a focal point near the northern border, while further south, the place name Ninety and a lonely Cem (cemetery) mark the quiet human footprint in this borderland region. Industrial activity is represented by Gravel Pits located near the tracks, while Madden Lake provides a rare instance of surface water in the arid terrain.