1968 Map of Bondad Hill

About this map

The Animas River and Florida River converge within the southern reaches of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, carving deep canyons through the high desert plateaus. This 1968 field-checked survey reveals a landscape defined by both natural relief and industrial transit. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks follow the river valley, providing a critical transportation link through the rugged terrain of Mesa Mountains. Settlements like Bondad and the topographic prominence of Bondad Hill anchor the local geography, while the presence of a Gaging Sta and an extensive network of irrigation features, including the Sunnyside Ditch and Ralston Ditch, highlight the essential role of water management in this arid environment. The map also records the expansion of energy infrastructure, with numerous gas wells and a prominent Pipeline traversing the mesas and canyons such as Alamo Canyon and Cow Canyon.