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1996 Map of Black Mesa

Name: 1996 Topographic Map of Black Mesa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2001
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2001

About this map

The Mesilla Valley is defined here by an intricate network of irrigation and drainage infrastructure flanking the Rio Grande. This landscape reflects a complex history of land tenure and water management, illustrated by the presence of large colonial land grants such as Mesilla Civil Colony Tract No 1 and two tracts of the Santo Tomas De Yturbide Colony. These administrative divisions stand in contrast to the natural geological features of the east, where Black Mesa and Santo Tomas Mountain rise above the river plain, the latter showing evidence of lava flows.

Local industry and community life are grounded in landmarks like the Mesilla Diversion Dam and the Stahmann Farms Airfield. Cultivation is made possible by the engineered path of the West Side Canal and the East Side Canal, while smaller settlements like San Pablo and Mesilla anchor the northern reaches of the valley. For those researching family history, the map includes specific identifiers like the Jose Manuel Sanchez Baca tract.