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1959 Map of Sierra Alta

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Sierra Alta
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Rincon Valley serves as a stark, fertile contrast to the surrounding desert uplands in this detailed 1959 study of southern New Mexico. The Rio Grande winds along the eastern edge, bordered by specialized irrigation infrastructure including the Rincon Lateral and a Private Drain. This agricultural corridor supported several family-named outposts, such as the Haynor Ranch and its associated Cem, reflecting the local-history importance of the river for settlement.

Away from the water, the terrain rises into the high country of Sierra Alta and Sierra Kernado. Dry drainage systems like Broad Canyon and Angostura Arroyo cut through the landscape, where cattle ranching left its mark at the Sierra Alta Ranch and Hermantano Springs Ranch. These remote sites, along with Silva Spring, illustrate the 1950s reliance on seasonal tanks and springs for livestock in the arid reaches of Doña Ana County.