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1961 Map of Mesa Portales

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Mesa Portales
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest land defines the northeastern portion of this Sandoval County landscape, where the high terrain of Mesa de Cuba transitions into a complex system of drainages. The area is characterized by massive landforms like Mesa Portales and Fork Rock Mesa, which overlook the San Sidro Valley. These mesas are dissected by seasonal watercourses such as Arroyo Chijuillita and Arroyo Lucero.

Water sources are vital markers in this arid environment, with several specifically named springs and ojo points recorded. Locations like Ojo de Gutierrez, Moreno Spring, and Ojo Jarido suggest traditional watering spots or landmarks used by local inhabitants. Subsurface exploration is evident through several marked Drill Holes, while a Pipeline cuts across the western valley, indicating the early stages of energy infrastructure developments mapped during the mid-century period.