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2017 Map of San Felipe Mesa

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of San Felipe Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

San Felipe Mesa rises as a central landform in this high-desert landscape, where drainage patterns define the movement of water and travelers alike. The Rio Puerco meanders through the western reaches of the quadrangle, flanked by deeply incised features like Navajo Draw and Cañon Cuervo. These watercourses, often dry, are supported by critical upland water sources such as Sandoval Spring, Alamo Spring, and Tortola Spring.

Remote ranching infrastructure is evident through the network of named tanks, including Justo Tank and Alamo Tank, which suggest a land managed for livestock. The complex drainage network of Arroyo Bernardo, Arroyo Alamo, and Arroyo Benavidez illustrates the erosion-prone geology of Sandoval County. Access to these interior highlands is provided by routes such as Indian Svc Rte 481 and several ranch roads, marking a territory where traditional land use and environmental constraints dictate the settlement pattern.