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1964 Map of Steel Hill

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Steel Hill
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1981
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1981

About this map

Cibola National Forest defines this high-desert landscape in Socorro County, where 1960s mapping reveals an intricate network of drainage systems and isolated water sources essential for life in the arid West. The terrain is marked by significant elevations like Steel Hill and Bell Hill, with the deep cuts of Nogal Canyon and Chaunte Canyon bisecting the territory. Human presence is sparse but deliberate, centered on the Pansy Mine and the Nogal Canyon Ranch.

The importance of water management is evident in the numerous named tanks and windmills, including Humpfer Tank, Cuervo Windmill, and Rincon Windmill. These features, alongside natural springs like Rabbit Eye Spring and Nogalita Spring, illustrate the infrastructure required for ranching and prospecting. The southern portion of the map is dominated by the San Jose Arroyo, which collects runoff from several canyons, including Springtime Canyon and Deer Springs Canyon, providing a detailed look at the hydraulic patterns of the region before 1980s revisions.