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1972 Map of Sheep Canyon

Name: 1972 Topographic Map of Sheep Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The historical Santa Fe Trail crosses the northwest corner of this landscape, following the same path as the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad alongside Timpas Creek. This arid Otero County region is defined by its water infrastructure, essential for ranching at the time of this 1970s survey. A network of wells and windmills like Mills Well, Electric Well, and Lees Windmill are scattered across the terrain to sustain operations along Hoe Ranch Arroyo and the East Fork of the drainage system.

The topography transitions from the Iron Springs Hills in the west toward the deep incisions of Bent Canyon and Sheep Canyon in the south. Boundary lines for the Otero and Las Animas county line are clearly marked, cutting through the southern half of the map near Smith Pond and Kennedy Ponds. This map documents a high-plains ranching environment where the movement of livestock and water management shaped every named landmark.