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2023 Map of Van Winkle Lake

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Van Winkle Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Jack Smith Tank and CCC Tank anchor a landscape defined by seasonal water management and rugged drainage patterns in this corner of Otero County. The terrain is marked by significant topographical relief, including the carved path of Lewis Canyon and Boardwell Canyon in the northeast. These natural features, along with Jack Smith Draw, suggest a history of ranching and resource management where water collection was essential for survival and livestock.

Surface travel across this arid expanse relies on a network of county roads and primitive tracks, such as Co RD f041 and Co RD f028. Notable landmarks like Brownfield Hill and Shiloh Draw provide orientation in a region where the township and range system (including t24s r16e and t25s r16e) still dictates land division and boundary lines. The map captures the enduring character of the New Mexico high desert, where named draws like Coffelt Draw indicate historical family associations with the land.