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1963 Map of Woodson Canyon

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Woodson Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

Lincoln National Forest land defines this corner of Otero County, where a network of deep canyons and seasonal water sources supported high-altitude ranching and livestock operations during the mid-twentieth century. The terrain is marked by family-named landmarks such as the Lewis Ranch and numerous catchment basins including Barkley Lake, Wilson Lake, and Mc Donald Lake.

Transport through this part of the Sacramento Mountains relied on routes like Miller Flats Road and Flat Road, which connected isolated watering holes like Stephens Well and Dougherty Well. The landscape is a complex system of drainage, with Agua Chiquita Creek winding through Agua Chiquita Canyon and Bluewater Creek cutting through the southern reaches. The presence of a Gravel Pit and scattered wells highlights the local focus on resource management and infrastructure in this arid environment.