2016 Map of Soda Lake

About this map

The Pecos River serves as the primary geographic border between Reeves and Ward Counties in this western Texas landscape. The region's arid character is defined by a sophisticated water management system designed to sustain the local environment, featuring the Cedarvale Canal, the Barstow Canal, and Lateral Number One. These irrigation structures trace the low-lying areas near the river, supporting the ranching and agricultural operations that define the area's economy. Further east, the namesake Soda Lake sits within a depression of the high plains, accessed by a network of rural roads such as Ranch Rd 516 and Ranch Rd 2355. This modern survey illustrates how water remains the central organizing principle for life and transport in the Permian Basin, showing the persistence of traditional canal systems alongside contemporary ranch roads.