2017 Map of Mesa Gallina

About this map

Sierra Lucero and Mesa Gallina define this high-desert environment on the border of Valencia and Cibola counties. The topography is dominated by dramatic escarpments and dry watercourses that reflect the arid hydrology of the region. Distinctive landmarks like Mesa Aparejo and Cerro del Indio punctuate the landscape, while drainage systems such as Arroyo Salado and Arroyo Monte Largo carve through the basin. This survey shows the vital importance of man-made water catchments in the grazing lands of the American Southwest, specifically naming North Tank and Casey Tank. The presence of the Salt Flats in the southern portion of the quadrangle highlights the mineral-rich basins characteristic of this part of New Mexico, providing a clear picture of the land's geological character and its relationship to the shifting county boundary line.