2017 Map of Paraje Well

About this map

The Rio Grande defines the eastern corridor of this landscape, its expansive floodplains and wetlands contrasting with the dissected high desert to the west. This 2017 survey by the U.S. Geological Survey details a network of dry drainage systems, including Milligan Gulch and Quates Canyon, which cut through the arid terrain toward the river valley. The map is a study in desert hydrology and land management, showing the sparse placement of artificial water sources like Paraje Well in an otherwise water-scarce environment. Topographical features such as Sheep Canyon, Simon Canyon, and Silver Canyon mark the western uplands, providing a precise look at the land's transition from rugged canyonlands down to the river basin. This area remains largely undeveloped, preserving the original township and range grids of t8s r2w and t8s r3w.