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2023 Map of Pounds Mesa

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Pounds Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest anchors the southern portion of this high-desert landscape in Rio Arriba County, where complex drainage patterns define the topography. The western section is dominated by the broad plateau of Pounds Mesa, while the northern reaches are marked by Apache Mesa and the sharp incision of Railroad Canyon. Water is a defining element of this arid region, from the seasonal flows of Arroyo del Puerto Chiquito to the substantial Stinking Lake and the western edge of El Vado Reservoir.

Small-scale geographic landmarks like Puerto Chiquito and Horse Island provide points of orientation for those tracing local history and land usage. The presence of Thompson Lake and La Puerta Grande further illustrates the localized water resources essential for life in this part of New Mexico. This map details the intersection of rugged canyonlands and managed forest, documenting the contemporary survey lines and road networks like CR 322 that facilitate travel through the high country.