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1965 Map of Underwood Lake

Name: 1965 Topographic Map of Underwood Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Apache National Forest lands dominate this mid-century survey of Catron County, revealing a landscape defined by isolated water sources and high-elevation landforms. The Spur Lake Basin occupies the northeast, anchored by the ephemeral Spur Lake and various livestock infrastructure like the Spur Lake Well, Tipton Well, and Heddrick Tank. These features, along with the Spur Lake Cem, suggest the long-standing ranching history of the area, further evidenced by the Gribble Place and Bastion Ranch to the south.

Prominent volcanic and geological features rise above the canyon systems, including Jim Smith Peak, Bishop Peak, and Red Butte. The drainage network is complex, with Karruth Creek and Smith Creek cutting through the western portion, while Bishop Canyon and Funderburg Draw shape the southern terrain. This map records the distribution of springs and tanks essential for survival in this high-country environment before modern developments altered these rural patterns.