1988 Map of Skunk Canyon

About this map

Watering points define the landscape of the high desert along the border of Lincoln and Chaves Counties during the late 1980s. This arid terrain is marked by a network of isolated wells, such as Martin-Harold Well, Rattlesnake Well, and West Cherry Well, which supported ranching operations in a region characterized by deep relief and seasonal drainages. The topography is dominated by the complex systems of Skunk Canyon, Brushy Canyon, and Twin Butte Canyon, where the elevation changes are captured in 20-foot intervals. Smaller water features like Pond Lake and South Lake appear as rare catchments in the drainage basins. The presence of Buck Camp in the southeast corner suggest seasonal activity or livestock management near Buck Canyon Well. This provisional survey provides a precise look at the land's hydrology before modern developments, tracing a ranching infrastructure that relied heavily on these specifically named water sources.