2023 Map of Black Mesa

About this map

The Rio Grande serves as the central artery for this section of the Mesilla Valley, where an intricate network of irrigation and drainage infrastructure has shaped the agrarian landscape for generations. This modern survey illustrates how water management remains vital to the region, featuring a complex system of channels such as the California Lateral, Louisiana Lateral, and the Santo Tomas Lateral. These man-made waterways contrast sharply with the arid, elevated terrain of Black Mesa and Santo Tomas Mtn to the west. On the valley floor, the established settlements of Mesilla and San Pablo are interconnected by a dense grid of local roads, including Snow Rd and River Levee Rd. The map provides a detailed record of land use in Doña Ana County, showing the transition from the fertile river bottom to the high desert plateaus of the West Mesa.