1996 Map of Polecat Tank

About this map

Rainwater Ranch sits as a primary point of human activity in this arid landscape of south-central New Mexico. The terrain is defined by its water management systems, essential for ranching in the desert, as evidenced by a series of named livestock waterings including Sand Tank, East Pasture Tank, and the namesake Polecat Tank. These features are strategically positioned near natural drainage patterns like Jornada Draw and Mcclennon Draw. This area, surveyed during the late 20th century, illustrates the intersection of traditional land use and federal management, with the New Mexico Principal Meridian serving as a foundational reference for the region's public land system. While the land remains largely open, evidence of resource exploration appears through a documented Drill Hole and several Gravel Pit sites scattered across the flats.