2020 Map of Skunk Canyon

About this map

Pond Lake and a series of deeply etched drainage systems define this landscape along the border of Lincoln and Chaves Counties. The map reveals a complex network of topographical features, from the sharp relief of Little Twin Butte Canyon and Twin Butte Canyon in the east to the long reach of Monument Canyon further south. These arid corridors, including Skunk Canyon and Antelope Draw, illustrate the natural drainage patterns that have shaped the high plains of New Mexico. Human presence is marked primarily by ranching and access roads such as Salt Lake Rd and Buchanan Rd, which navigate the intervals between the draws. This survey captures the remote character of the region as it appeared in the early 21st century, showing how the land is segmented by the Public Land Survey System across multiple townships and ranges.