2011 Map of Milky Ranch

About this map

Milky Ranch and Potter Place anchor this 2011 survey of the high desert landscape in Apache County. The western edge of the quadrangle includes a portion of Petrified Forest National Park, while the rest of the terrain is defined by an extensive network of water management features essential for ranching in this arid environment. Dozens of catchment basins, such as Hashknife Tank, Badlands Tank, and Middle Wallace Tank, are distributed across the drainage basins of Milky Wash and Beaver Dam Wash. The prevalence of these named tanks alongside family-named landmarks like Potter Place Draw and Potter Tank illustrates a landscape where survival and industry are dictated by the seasonal flow of ephemeral washes and the careful collection of surface water.