2013 Map of Carson

About this map

Rio Grande gorge dominates the eastern landscape of this 2013 survey, where the river carves through the basaltic plateaus of northern New Mexico. The small settlements of Carson, Pilar, and Barranca serve as primary human anchors in a terrain otherwise defined by deep drainages and volcanic remnants. Within the Carson National Forest, the map captures a complex network of arroyos such as Ashbury Arroyo and Arroyo Noria, which channel seasonal runoff into the main river corridor. These features highlight the importance of water management in this arid environment, evidenced by livestock water points like Mantosa Tank and Hartig Tank. Down in the canyon, the river's character is marked by technical stretches including The Narrows Rapid and Alberts Falls Rapid, while the Gaging Station near Hondo Canyon monitors the critical flows that have sustained local ranching operations like the Drake Ranch for generations.