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2010 Map of Bates Lake

Name: 2010 Topographic Map of Bates Lake
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2010
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2010

About this map

Tyrone Flats dominates this High Plains landscape in Las Animas County, where water management is the defining characteristic of the terrain. The presence of numerous named windmills, such as the Smith Ranch Windmill, Eperson Windmill, and Ahern Windmill, underscores the importance of groundwater for ranching operations in this arid region. The drainage patterns are clearly defined by Bates Lake Arroyo and Elmore Arroyo, which feed into larger systems like the Apishapa River.

Surface water is concentrated in several artificial and natural catchments, including Bates Lake, Rowe Reservoir, and Baker Reservoir. These landmarks, along with the small settlement of Simpson in the south, provide critical orientation points for those studying local land use and ranching history. The topography is largely level, though the rise of Tyler Hill and the incisions of East Cross Canyon provide some relief to the vast plains.