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2023 Map of Selden Canyon

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

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The Rio Grande carves a critical corridor through the high desert of Doña Ana County, shaping the landscape near the Tonuco Mountains and San Diego Mountain. This modern survey highlights the profound historical layering of the region, where the ancient El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro trail shares a passage with contemporary transportation routes. The settlement of Radium Springs sits at the southern reach of the map, while the small community of Tonuco and the Hatch Valley lie to the north.

Protective boundaries of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument encompass several deep arroyos and canyons, including Buckle Bar Canyon, Broad Canyon, and Selden Canyon. The topography transitions from the rugged Selden Hills and Cedar Hill down to the fertile river bottom, illustrating the geographic importance of the water source for both ancient travelers and modern residents in this arid environment.