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1955 Map of Organ Peak NW

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Organ Peak NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The Jornada Experimental Range Reserve dominates this high-desert landscape in Doña Ana County during the mid-1950s. This land, managed for agricultural and scientific research, is defined by its arid character and the essential infrastructure required for water management in the Jornada region. The map reveals a network of water catchment features, primarily designated as tanks, which served both the experimental range and local ranching interests.

Significant landmarks include the ephemeral Isaack Lake and its associated Lake Tank, alongside numerous family-named or descriptive water sources such as Petts Tank, Hibler Tank, and Greasewood Tank. The southern portion of the map is intersected by a primary road and the Military Reservation Bdy, illustrating the convergence of scientific, agricultural, and defense-related land use typical of southern New Mexico during this era. Topography is detailed through photogrammetric methods based on 1952 aerial photography, capturing the subtle contours of the desert floor.