2017 Map of Melena

About this map

The Melena settlement sits at the heart of this Chaves County landscape, positioned along a transportation corridor that intersects the arid plains of eastern New Mexico. The terrain is defined by a complex drainage system where Salt Creek and the Arroyo del Macho feed into the prominent Pecos River. This map reveals a specialized environment of ephemeral and permanent water features, most notably the Ink Pots and Skull Lake, which suggest localized depressions or sinkholes common to the karst topography of the Pecos Valley. The human footprint is marked by a grid of rural roads such as Capitan Rd and Co Rd 51, supporting the ranching and livestock operations that have long characterized Garcia Flat. Geographers can trace the course of the Lost River as it navigates the low-lying areas near the southern boundary of this 2017 study.