2017 Map of Swallow Nest Canyon

About this map

Swallow Nest Canyon and the high desert terrain of the De Baca and Chaves County line define this landscape, where water is the primary architect of place names. The map reveals a vital network of springs and catchments essential for ranching and survival in this arid corner of New Mexico, including Blue Hole Spring, Headwater Spring, and Coyote Spring. The drainage patterns of Wylie Draw and Horse Creek carve through the plains, punctuated by man-made infrastructure like Drake Tank and Redman Tank. Human passage through the area is marked by functional ranch roads such as Colfax Road and Spike Box Road, which navigate the township and range divisions. The sheer number of named water sources, including Lower Horse Creek Spring and Horse Creek Spring, underscores the critical importance of localized hydrology in the Pecos River basin hinterlands.