1980 Map of Owl Tank Canyon East

About this map

Fort Bliss Military Reservation (Mc Gregor Range) dominates this high-desert landscape in the early 1980s, reflecting the significant federal presence in Otero County. The terrain is defined by dry watercourses and drainage patterns, most notably the winding path of Shiloh Draw and the more rugged Owl Tank Canyon. Water management is the primary human imprint on the land here, evidenced by numerous man-made features designed to capture and move life-sustaining resources through this arid environment. An Aqueduct cuts across the southeastern portion of the map, while scattered water sources like Johno Well, Johno Tank, and Red Top Tanks provided essential points for range operations. The presence of the Wet Weather Pond and Roberts Tanks suggests the seasonal nature of water availability, highlighting the challenges of maintaining military and ranching infrastructure in the New Mexico desert during this era.