2010 Map of Orla

About this map

Orla serves as the central hub of this arid Reeves County landscape, situated at the intersection of FM 652 and the highway. The settlement pattern is defined by the critical need for water management in the Chihuahuan Desert, evidenced by a network of windmills and tanks scattered across the plains. Large-scale ranching operations are suggested by features like the Long Pasture Windmill and West Camp Windmill, which support livestock in an area where natural surface water is limited to seasonal drainages like Sand Bend Draw and Arroyo Bonito. To the northeast, the Pecos River cuts across the corner of the map near Burro Trap, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding ephemeral washes such as Salt Creek and Charlie Ross Draw. This survey illustrates the specialized infrastructure of West Texas, where named landmarks often center on life-sustaining water sources like Sand Bend Tank and Highway Tank.