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2020 Map of Milk Lake

Name: 2020 Topographic Map of Milk Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2020
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2020

About this map

Chaco Culture National Historical Park anchors the northeast corner of this high-desert landscape in McKinley County, preserving a region of significant archaeological importance. The terrain is defined by the Kim-me-ni-oli Valley, where the ephemeral Kim-me-ni-oli Wash and Indian Cr create a network of drainage channels across the arid plateau. Occasional catchments like Milk Lake and Flat Lake break the dry expanse, serving as vital water points in an area traditionally utilized for seasonal grazing and transit.

A network of Bureau of Indian Affairs and service roads, including Indian Svc Rte 7014 and South Kin Bineola Road, provides modern access through the ancient landscape. These routes follow long-established paths through the desert, connecting the surrounding Navajo Nation lands to the protected historical sites. The map documents the persistent relationship between the environment and the cultural heritage of the Eastern Navajo Agency.