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1967 Map of Mesa SW

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Mesa SW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

Boswell Ranch and other established ranching operations define this arid corner of Chaves County during the late 1960s. The landscape is dominated by a complex network of dry washes and drainage patterns, most notably the Arroyo del Macho and its tributaries such as Fifteenmile Arroyo and Middle Fork Fivemile Draw. These ephemeral waterways carved deep through the terrain, with names like Burts Canyon and Fourmile Draw indicating the vast distances between landmarks in this livestock-driven economy.

Water management is the central human imprint on the land, visible through scattered infrastructure like the China Draw Well, New Well, and various catchment basins including Little Burts Tank and Wells Tank. The presence of the J M McKnight Ranch and Pierce Ranch illustrates the reliance on these sparse water sources. Industrial activity is minimal, represented by a single Gravel Pit, underscoring the predominantly pastoral nature of this Chaves County region.