Loading map...

1980 Map of Sixteen Canyon

Name: 1980 Topographic Map of Sixteen Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Fort Bliss Military Reservation (McGregor Range) dominates the northern and central sections of this landscape, marking a transition from public lands to restricted military training grounds in Otero County. The desert terrain is defined by the ephemeral Sacramento River and a series of deep drainages including Chatfield Canyon, Seventeen Canyon, and Sixteen Canyon. These natural corridors dictate the movement of water and travelers through the arid environment.

Evidence of ranching life and sparse settlement appears in the southern portion of the quadrangle, centered around the Prather Ranch and a nearby Grave. Water management is the primary human imprint on the land, with vital infrastructure such as Trammel Well, Shipment Tank, and Chess Tank supporting livestock and survival in this corner of New Mexico. The map provides a clear look at the intersection of private ranching interests and military expansion during the late twentieth century.