2013 Map of Thompson Arroyo

About this map

Comanche National Grassland dominates the southern reaches of this landscape, where the high plains are carved by a network of seasonal watercourses. The northern portion of the map reveals a history of early 21st-century agricultural engineering through the winding path of the Old Otero Canal, which cuts across the drainage basins of the Thompson Arroyo and Vandiver Arroyo. This arid terrain is defined by dramatic elevation changes, notably at Miller Mesa and the depths of Mixon Canyon near the border of Otero and Bent counties. The scarcity of permanent water is highlighted by the presence of Circle Waters Spring, a vital landmark in an area otherwise characterized by intermittent flows like Rock Arroyo and Tarbox Arroyo.