2017 Map of Black Mesa

About this map

The Rio Grande corridor south of Mesilla is defined by a complex network of agricultural irrigation and drainage features that support the fertile Mesilla Valley. This 2017 study illustrates the intricate water management system essential to the region, including the California Lateral, Mesilla Drain, and Alamo Drain. To the west, the terrain rises sharply from the river bottom to the prominent volcanic heights of Black Mesa and Santo Tomas Mtn, creating a dramatic contrast between the irrigated valley floor and the arid upland plateaus. The settlements of Mesilla and San Pablo anchor the northeastern portion of the map, connected by a grid of rural roads like Snow Rd and Mesilla Dam Rd that follow the historical patterns of land use in Doña Ana County. This document preserves the modern footprint of these long-standing agricultural communities and their relationship to the shifting river landscape.