1961 Map of Paraje Well

About this map

Rio Grande waters dominate this 1961 survey of the Socorro County landscape, where the river's path is managed through a complex system including the Conveyance Channel and several miles of silt fence. The map centers on the northern reaches of the Elephant Butte Reservoir, showing the controlled inundation area and the spillway elevation. To the east, the terrain transitions into the desolate Jornada del Muerto and fields of lava, a stark contrast to the riparian corridor. Significant land divisions are represented by the Pedro Armendaris No 34 Grant, while the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad skirts the eastern volcanic formations. Numerous desert drainage features such as Lumbre Canyon, Simon Canyon, and Milligan Gulch illustrate the erosive forces shaping the mesas above the valley floor.