1972 Map of Timpas NW

About this map

Harbeck Windmill stands on a flat expanse of Otero County in the early 1970s, marking a landscape defined by the critical search for water in the high plains. This arid terrain is heavily modified for water storage and transport, evidenced by a series of reservoirs including Swink Reservoir No 2, Swink Res No 6, and Swink Reservoir No 5. The reliance on subsurface resources is further revealed through named water points like Big Well, Good Well, and a Flowing Well located near the center of the survey area. Long-distance pipelines cut across the contours, connecting these water sources across the prairie. Aside from a lone Radio Tower, the topography is largely uninterrupted, with occasional landmarks like Two Trees serving as navigational aids in an otherwise uniform environment.